08/17/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/17/2022 14:00
08/17/2022
(Hartford, CT) - At today's annual back-to-school event, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) met with superintendents from across Connecticut to kick off and celebrate the upcoming school year and launch this year's back-to-school theme, "The Sky is NOT the Limit."
Commissioner of Education Charlene M. Russell-Tucker and Governor Ned Lamont highlighted several of the many supports available to districts from CSDE to help with educator recruitment and retention, student and staff mental and behavioral health, creating career opportunities and elevating student voice, as well as curriculum development tools and initiatives. These include the following priorities:
Promoting what's right with education in Connecticut: We are making it a priority this year to help our districts showcase their successes and highlight positive outcomes across Connecticut.
"The last couple of years have been challenging, but because of the leadership of our school superintendents, teachers, and staff, we have been able to ensure that students could continue to learn safely and receive the support they need," Governor Ned Lamont said. "The strength of a state is dependent upon the health of its education system, and Connecticut's schools are the best in the nation."
"As our students launch into this new school year, we want them to know that there are no limits to what they can accomplish and that anything is possible," said Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker. "With our Department, our State Board of Education, Superintendents and school leaders, policymakers, educational partners, and Connecticut's talented educator workforce working together on their behalf, the sky in NOT the limit!"
"We're looking forward to a school year full of collaboration and inspiration that will allow us to bring our students to new heights," said CEA President Kate Dias. "Educators are refreshed and energized for the new challenges ahead, and we must all work together to support our dedicated professionals, so that our children have the highly qualified teachers they deserve today, tomorrow, and in the future."
"No one wants a successful academic and social-emotional experience for Connecticut's students more than our member teachers, paraeducators and school-related personnel. They know firsthand how important that will be after two and half years of disrupted learning and are ready to rise to the occasion," said AFT President Jan Hochadel. "As union leaders, we are prepared to support them every step of the way. That means demanding all public school stakeholders to - as U.S. Education Department Secretary Miguel Cardona recently told the news media - address the 'teacher respect issue.'"
"Superintendents working with their boards of education are the leadership team that creates the opportunity for every student to find their passion and reach for the stars," said Patrice McCarthy, Executive Director, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.
"We are looking forward to a year of wonderful possibilities as we all work together to ensure it is the best year of learning for every Connecticut student," said Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.
"CAS-CIAC and its member school principals welcome our teachers, staff, and students to the promise of a new school year and the exciting opportunities that await. Together, we will build meaningful relationships and soar to new heights of achievement. The sky is not the limit!" said CAS-CIAC Executive Director, Glenn Lungarini.
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For Immediate Release:Wednesday, August 17, 2022
CSDE Contact:
Eric Scoville, Director of Communications
Email: [email protected]
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