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Yehyun Kim :: ctmirror.org
Sophia Cagna, 10, attends a class about growth mindset at Roger Sherman Elementary School in Meriden. Pandemic is one of the reasons why the school is focusing on social emotional learning and how to be good humans, Principal Anita Gennaro said. Students were maybe nervous about coming back to school and anxious about the changes in the world, she said.
Conversations with educators, parents, and students about the past year of missed school reminded me of my own education, interrupted by war in my home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in a refugee camp in Uganda. Seeing students graduating on Zoom last summer, unable to hug their friends and teachers, take photos, or have their families cheering their hard work was disappointing.
Reopening schools requires doing less, better
Yehyun Kim :: ctmirror.org
Students stretch legs while wearing a mask during a physical education class at Roger Sherman Elementary School in Meriden.
For educators, families, and communities, April is bringing a welcome sign of hope to a year of unchartered challenges as political unrest, COVID-19, social and racial disparities, and violence have disrupted and dismantled our schools’ traditional approach to education. The appointment of Miguel A. Cardona as the 12th Secretary of Education and the passing of the American Rescue Plan of 2021 does make it feel like spring, in fact, has sprung. The possibility of equitable school environments for our nation’s children appears tangible, however, recovery must attend to more than filling holes with intent to return to a “new normal.”
Hundreds receive COVID-19 vaccine at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in Meriden
Hundreds receive COVID-19 vaccine at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in Meriden
Nearly 300 people lined up at Mount Hebron Baptist Church in Meriden on Saturday to receive the COVID vaccine. Faith Williams, Record Journal Advertisement
Michael Rohde, director of Community Relations at Community Health Center, left, and the Rev. Willie Young pose for a photo at Mount Hebron Baptist Church.Â
 Volunteers and Community Health Center staff work together at registration stations at Mount Hebron Baptist Church on Saturday, March 6, 2021. Mount Hebron hosted a mobile clinic for eligible residents to receive the COVID vaccine. Faith Williams, Record-Journal
Subscribe There are two topics of interest that residents have written to me about this past week that I would like to address with you.
Budget:
Subscribe On Monday, I presented the Town budget to the Board of Selectmen. Here s the FairTV links of the meeting broken into two parts: Part 1 and Part 2. The Board of Selectmen budget meetings were held on Monday and Tuesday of this week. This coming Monday morning, the Board of Selectmen will take a vote on my proposed budget. My proposed budget includes a mill rate increase of 1.98%. This incorporates a $7.5 million dollar increase to the education budget, as well as $8 million dollars in spending that was supported by Town bodies to replenish the funds and accounts that were used to subsidize last year s 0% tax increase. This budget ensures the Town s long-term liabilities are fully funded. The education increase is the second highest in a decade. I believe my proposed budget makes the necessary investments in education and in