EASTCONN CONNECTIONS SUMMER 2023

The Amazing Isabella

It’s not every day that a special needs student in Connecticut receives recognition from the President of the United States.

More unlikely still: a presidential award-winner who lives above a Vernon soup kitchen – a place where she volunteers every day, and where she’s likely to work when she turns 18.

Isabella Kirchmeier, 17, a sophomore at EASTCONN’s Educational and Vocational Center (EVC) in Columbia, amassed enough volunteer hours last year – roughly 252 – to receive the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award and a letter from President Biden.

“Izzy is a student who brings a smile and life to the building,” said EVC Principal Gregory Biggs. “She is always looking to connect with others and share her positive outlook. She is quick to share her art, poetry, or exciting news with students and staff alike.”

Jennifer adopted Izzy when she was three years old, then quickly became a single mother. As a young child, Isabella went without a lot of things other kids take for granted.

Izzy’s volunteer service mostly took place at the Cornerstone Foundation, a faith-based, non-profit organization based in Rockville, Connecticut that employs her mother.

“[Izzy] helped me start the diaper bank, and once we got it up and running, she took over,” said Jennifer Kirchmeier, Isabella’s mother and a case worker and shelter coordinator at Cornerstone. “Every single Friday she is there to hand out diapers when she gets home from school.”

Handing out diapers, wipes and occasionally food to needy families, handling truck deliveries and stocking shelves with needed items is a pretty big production. But Izzy greets all the families with a smile and helps them however she can.

It’s also a far cry from what Jennifer thought was possible for Izzy; early on, a psychologist predicted she would “be one of the kids that ended up in a mental hospital wearing a white coat, that she wouldn't amount to anything,” Jennifer said. “For a long time, I believed that: this poor kid is never going to get anywhere in life. And now, she's been recognized by a presidential award.”

“That’s how we knew about Cornerstone, because we came to their clothing bank and we came to the soup kitchen,” Jennifer said. “I told her how when I was younger, I stayed in the homeless shelter because I didn't have somewhere to live. So, she knows the system and how it works. She knows how homeless people have to get into the shelters.”

This isn’t Izzy’s first trip to the awards podium. Last year, she participated in the CT Miss Amazing Pageant for young girls with special needs, won the junior teen division and made the trip to nationals, where she won the National Impact Award for her volunteerism.

While other contestants prepared a song or dance routine or showed their artwork, Izzy’s 90-second speech was a presentation on her work at the diaper bank and giving back in her community.

“Izzy will give back anytime,” Jennifer said. “Even when she’s having a bad day, it’ll turn her right around to help them, to carry a bag for them from the clothing bank to their car, or help somebody get food from the pantry or the soup kitchen, whether it's a kid, an adult, an old person, somebody who’s intoxicated: she doesn’t care. It’s really inspiring to me that, even with everything she's been through, she still wants to help other people.”

CONNECTIONS Education News From Northeastern Connecticut Summer 2023 Volume 43, Number 4 eastconn.org

It’s really inspiring to me that, even with everything she’s been through, she still wants to help other people.”

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- EVC Jennifer Kirchmeier, Isabella’s mother.

Last call to apply to EASTCONN Magnet Schools for 2023-24! See Page 3

EVC sophomore Isabella Kirchmeier holds an award she earned for volunteering and a letter from President Biden.

EASTCONN Magnet High Schools Now Recruiting!

riculum that’s arts-integrated and standards-based. Taught by certified teachers and talented arts instructors from across the region, each grade includes about 35 students, who may focus on any of 7 arts pathways: Acting, Creative Writing, Dance, Integrated Arts & Management, Media Arts, Music and Technical Theater (sets, lights, costuming). Located in the historic Capitol Theater in downtown Willimantic, ACT is NEASC Accredited. www.eastconn.org/act.

the-art high school enrolls motivated learners, grades 9-12, who seek more control over their educational program. Qualified students may attend QVCC classes and earn free college credits toward an associate degree while continuing to earn a high school diploma. With a STEM-focused and humanitiesrich curriculum, QMC offers small, rigorous classes; community service opportunities; a unique, student-led governance structure; and experiential learning opportunities for young scholars. NEASC Accredited. www.eastconn.org/qmc

2023 Summer Leading & Learning Programs at EASTCONN

EASTCONN Summer Camp – Engineering Your Design:

Does your child like to create, design, build and engineer?

Weeklong camp for children grades 3-5, Aug. 7-11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

EASTCONN Conference Center, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton. $290/child. www.eastconn.org/summercamp

Building Adventures in SEL into your Physical Education and Health Classes: one-day experiential workshop on Aug. 2 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This workshop will be followed by five Community of Practice days held throughout the school year.

EASTCONN Conference Center, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton. $250 for all dates.

New Teacher Workshops – A Collective Orientation: four targeted workshops in August for new teachers from area districts and schools in reading and writing instruction grounded in best practices and current research.

EASTCONN Conference Center, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton. $195/day.

Restorative Practices: two-day workshop, July 13-14, followed by four Community of Practice days.

EASTCONN Conference Center, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton. $250 for all dates.

Leaders of their Own Learning for School Leaders: half-day workshop, July 20, followed by four Community of Practice days.

EASTCONN Conference Center, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton. $200 per person.

Executive Editor: Dona Prindle, Director of Marketing & Communications, dprindle@eastconn.org

Editor/Writer: Michael Hamad, Communications Specialist, mhamad@eastconn.org

Graphic Designer: Angela Dean, adean@eastconn.org

EASTCONN Administration: Eric S. Protulis, Executive Director, eprotulis@eastconn.org

EASTCONN, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton, CT 06247, 860-455-0707 - eastconn.org

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EASTCONN CONNECTIONS Education News From Northeastern Connecticut Summer 2023

Performing Arts Magnet High School RESPECT YOURSELF RESPECT THE WORK RESPECT THE COMMUNITY YOURSELF THE Magnet High School

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Agency Professional Notes

Herbert Charles Arico

Northeast Connecticut’s first-ever HACK-A-THON kicked off earlier this spring at the EASTCONN Conference Center in Hampton. The HackCT Inaugural Transportation Summit invited innovators and experts in the transportation space to learn about and discuss transportation issues facing the residents of northeastern CT. The event was the first step in a state-wide initiative, setting the stage for a full-scale summit in the fall.

Diane Gozemba, EASTCONN Director of Early Childhood Initiatives, and Sheri Lambert, Early Childhood Specialist, presented their work on supporting TA provider groups at the NAEYC Professional Learning Institute in Oregon on June 4, 2023. Gozemba and co-author Lori Blake (CCSU) presented “Embrace, Reflect, Reframe and Respond with an Equity Lens.” Lambert’s presentation with co-authors Jean Barresi (CREC) and Mary Stone (ACES) was entitled “Issues of Equity: Understanding Biases and their Impact on the Early Childhood Program.”

We are saddened by the death of our dear friend, Herbert Charles Arico, who passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Herb dedicated his career in public education to the residents of northeastern Connecticut. He was a teacher for 61 years; 58 of them as a business teacher at Windham High School. In addition to being the past chairman and member of the EASTCONN Board of Directors for many years, he served on the Boards of Education for both Willington and Region 19. He also served on numerous other professional and community boards and volunteered with many community organizations.

Several years ago, Herb was quoted in the Chronicle, saying “I’ve always felt that if you live in a community, you should contribute to what’s going on in town. I like to be active in the community and try to contribute as much as I can.” Herb had a quiet dignity and compassionate spirit and was an unerring advocate on behalf of the students, families, schools and communities in northeastern Connecticut and beyond. The entire EASTCONN community extends its deepest condolences to Herb’s friends and family.

Below is a link to Herb’s obituary. His funeral took place on May 13.

Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT 2nd District) visited EASTCONN Head Start and WECC at Windham Public Schools in May to learn more about the dire situtation facing Head Start programs around the country. Earlier in the month, a House budget bill passed that would cut funding to Head Start by 22%, a number that would decimate the program, resulting in 170,000 fewer children nationwide receiving Head Start services. Thank you for your visit, Congressman Courtney!