FOX 61 NEWS HIGHLIGHTS TRINITY COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP

Please click on the following link to see the video: (NOTE:  ConnectiKids footage begins at minute 8:14)

The piece is called Fox Focus Trinity - 2/08

http://fox61.trb.com/news/wtic-foxfocus,0,4734284.storygallery?track=news_na

Cultural Learning Academy Ready to Make An Impact on Students

ConnectiKids sixth grade students from West Middle Elementary School kicked off our new partnership with Young Studios.  Through this venture, students will learn academic concepts they are studying in schools.  Young Studios will be using a combination of computer courses, animation and drama to help students achieve a better understanding of their school work. Our sixth grade students had a great time performing improvisational skits on education and beginning the basics of animation using Photoshop.  Students were excited and can not wait until next Monday to continue the work they began on the first day.  Lisa Gonzalez stated, “I had a lot of fun and liked working with the computers”.  ConnectiKids and Young Studios are both looking forward to a great partnership, that will both inspire and empower our youth for the future.

West Middle School sixth graders at Young Studios

Alumni Program and Old Navy Creating Future Work Force

Old Navy and ConnectiKids partnership is entering into its second successful year with the Alumni Program on job readiness and life skills. This unique and exciting program has created a bond and a relationship between the Senior Alumni and the Old Navy staff. It empowers the Senior Alumni to be innovative, interactive, and provides a transformative learning experience. The Old Navy partnership provides opportunities for each participant to gain positive self esteem, increased self-discipline, and to also explore different career paths.

A Successful Beginning to the Tutoring/Mentoring Program

This years Trinity College tutoring site began energetically and enthusiastically. Things Started off with a meet and greet mixer, where M.D Fox fourth and fifth grade students and Trinity College tutors got the chance to interact while learning about each other.  The meet and greet was a success, tutors as well as students enjoyed themselves and were eager to begin tutoring. The site has grown as the weeks have gone by and now serves forty-four students.  Trinity College is now ConnectiKids biggest site. The Trinity site has had a great impact on the M.D. Fox students not only because both the school and the college are in the same neighborhood, but also because the college students have motivated the students to follow their dreams and made going to college a definite option.   

MD Fox students waiting to meet their new tutors/mentors

The First Day of the 2007 ConnectiKids Summer Program

The 2007 ConnectiKids Summer Program opened its doors July 2, on the campus of Watkinson School.  Children from both West Middle and MD Fox Elementary school in Hartford boarded their buses at their schools and took the morning ride to the program.  This summer, 86 Hartford children and youth will participate in 5 weeks of morning academics and afternoon enrichment which includes:  swimming, drumming, cooking, karate, and activities at Riverfront Recapture. 

The theme this summer is “Unmasking the Secrets of Success: Stepping Stones to Becoming the Faces of Our community”.  The goal of the theme is to open the minds of the children to the professional world and the  steps it takes to get there.  All morning and afternoon classes will be tied to the theme and invited speakers will visit weekly to inspire summer participants.  We will have lawyers, doctors, police, firefighters, and various other career representatives speak to the children on the road to becoming a professional.  All classes will be named after a professional field.  Aaron Jordan from the second grade group The Bar Association says, “My morning went well.  We wrote about going to college and how to get a job.” 

The Bar Association, 2nd grade, getting gready for summer learning and fun

Alumni Program students participate in National Youth Service Day

ConnectiKids Students Invited To Participate In Shipman & Goodwin "Take A Child To Work" Event

On Thursday, April 26 ConnectiKids participants Skyler Edwards, Lisa Gonzalez, and Isabel Tepos were invited to the law firm of Shipman & Goodwin where they participated in their yearly "Take A Child To Work Day" at One Constitution Plaza.  The agenda included breakfast on the 19th floor with a beautiful view of the Hartford landscape, a tour of the firms headquarters, and trips to the Connecticut Science Center and the Supreme Court. 

Thomas Tresselt of Shipman & Goodwin initiated contact with Executive Director Ricardo Herrera to extend the invitation to the community.  Mr. Herrera chose children that received great grades at West Middle Elementary School and have been active participants of ConnectiKids programs.  Kate McGiness of Shipman & Goodwin was one of the event planners that relayed all information to Mr. Herrera to assure a well planned trip.  Along with 33 other children, Skyler, Lisa and Isabel enjoyed a full day of real work expereince at a successful local law firm.  The children not only made friends with children from sorrounding towns, but they also met professional individuals that work in the city of Hartford and care about the community.  Mr. Herrera states, "The children never felt uncomfortable and the staff at Shipman & Goodwin did all they could to make the kids feel at home.  It was a great experience."

A special thanks goes to Ellen Hollister, Administrator of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church, for connecting Mr. Herrera and Mr. Tresselt.

Executive Director Ricardo Herrera with participants Lisa, Isabel and Skyler at the Connecticut Science Center activity tent.

This article was written for the premier issue of Nortwest Catholic's magazine LOGOS.