EASTCONN Employee Update
Fall 2021
eastconn.org
faces of EASTCONN Q&A WITH SHAWN BRODEUR EASTCONN’s Facilities Director
SHARE WITH US YOUR “ELEVATOR SPEECH” DESCRIBING YOUR ROLE AT EASTCONN. My role in the agency is to maintain all of EASTCONN’s sites and ensure our facilities meet all state and federal environmental and health guidelines. I also work with the program directors to accommodate the needs of their students and staff. The EASTCONN facilities department at its core is a service department and we strive to provide the best “customer service” to all of the programs and districts that we serve. WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE? What I have found to be the most enjoyable part of my new role has been getting to know the people that I work with every day. Everyone at EASTCONN has been so welcoming and has accepted me into the EASTCONN family. From the staff at the central office to the teachers and program directors at every site, everyone has made the transition very smooth and has offered assistance any way they can. WHERE WERE YOU LAST EMPLOYED, FOR HOW LONG, AND WHAT WAS YOUR TITLE AND ROLE? I was last employed at Putnam Science Academy for
six years. My role there was basically the same. Being a smaller operation, the Facilities Director has to wear many more hats than in a typical situation. I oversaw the entire support staff including maintenance, custodial, food service, IT, security, and transportation. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO EASTCONN? When the opportunity to join EASTCONN arose, it was something that I could not pass up. I think the prestige around EASTCONN and the sense of pride that you get when telling someone that you work at the agency is what brought me here. The professional atmosphere elevates any person that walks in the door. SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU THAT WE WOULDN’T KNOW OTHERWISE. A fun fact about me is I am an intense, die-hard Boston sports fan. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE? “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth
If you have additional questions for Shawn please email him at: sbrodeur@eastconn.org. 1.
Employee Update | Fall 2021
News You Can Use Finance Office Updates Submitted by Edward Martin
2021 W2s - Confirm Your Information Verify your name, address and social security number either on your paystub or in Employee Self Service (ESS). Report any discrepancies directly to the Payroll Office immediately. Contact Edward Martin at 860-455-1502 or emartin@eastconn.org. Make sure that your information is correct before December 31st, when we start printing the agency’s W2s for 2021. If you have any questions regarding the W2 process, please contact Edward Martin. If you are interested in the Direct Deposit benefit, please fill out the form found on EASTCONN’s Intranet and send it to Payroll c/o Edward Martin. Business Use Of Personal Vehicle(s) – In order to comply with insurance industry standards, EASTCONN is requiring all agency employees who use their personal vehicle(s) for agency business to submit a copy of their driver’s license and a copy of their auto insurance certificate. You can either email a scanned copy of both documents to Joe Tuscano at jtuscano@ eastconn.org or send paper copies through the interoffice mail system.
Mileage Reimbursements As of January 1, 2021, the new mileage rate was set to $.56 per mile. Mileage forms, which can be found on the Employee Intranet under Finance, must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the month that the travel occurred. All mileage forms must contain the supervisor’s signature as well as the appropriate budget code. ONLY an original form will be accepted, we do not pay from copies or faxes. How to submit mileage forms: 1. Interoffice mail, Att: Accounts Payable Email Joe Tuscano at jtuscano@eastconn.org 2. USPS mail, addressed to EASTCONN c/o Accounts Payable, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton, CT 06247 Early Payroll Deadlines Due to upcoming holidays, there are early deadlines for payroll. All payroll forms/time sheets/Employee Self Service (ESS) entries are due by 12 noon on the dates below: Nov. 12, 2021 payroll – Deadline is Nov. 4, 2021 Nov. 24, 2021 payroll – Deadline is Nov. 18, 2021 Dec. 10, 2021 payroll – Deadline is Dec. 3, 2021 Dec. 23, 2021 payroll – Deadline is Dec. 16, 2021 Jan. 07, 2022 payroll – Deadline is Dec. 30, 2021 MILEAGE RATE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2021
2.
$.56 per mile
Employee Update | Fall 2021
Agency Happenings
Tell Us About It.... Share Your Stories! What’s happening in your program today? If you have a special EASTCONN photo, video or event to share on our social media pages, send it to the EASTCONN Marketing team at:
socialmedia@eastconn.org
Inclement Weather Protocols • The Executive Director decides early a.m. to close or delay. • If delayed opening, the office will open at 10 a.m., unless otherwise indicated. Please do not arrive before the indicated time. • Channels 3 and 30 and WILI-FM will be notified.
• School Messenger will be activated for both delays and closings.
Celebrating Our Employees
Fans of our Facebook page may have noticed new employees and familiar faces holding up a #WeAreEASTCONN sign. Want to participate? Write us at socialmedia@eastconn.org and we’ll do the rest. Watch for more: facebook.com/wherelearningcomestolife
• If you are unable to report for duty, contact your supervisor to take a vacation or personal day. Sick time may not be used for this purpose.
Like Us On Facebook! @wherelearningcomestolife
Photos, Videos & More! 3.
Employee Update | Fall 2021
New Employees
We welcome all our new employees and congratulate those who are celebrating milestone anniversaries with us! Adult Education Programs Anastasia Askitis WIOA Workplace Advisor Seth Barr Employment Specialist Faith Boateng Afranie Employment Specialist Jacob Booth Teacher Heidi LaPoint Employment Specialist Kim Luberto Perf. & Account. Assistant Diana Rojas-Gutierrez Employment Specialist Early Childhood Initiatives Yeimy Bonilla Rios BHS Teacher Aide Michelle Busha Early Intervention Associate Jennifer Collelo Substitute BHS Crystal Daigneau Data & Outcome Manager Karen Duhaime BHS Assistant Teacher Emily Hayden Education Manager Vicki Holt Early Intervention Associate Nicole Morey Early Interventionist Meaghan Penrod Early Intervention Assoc. Heather Standish Smullen Parent Educator Teresa Surprenant Early Childhood Specialist Shannon Wagner Early Inter. Assoc. Head Start
4.
K-12 Student Services Morgan Bakoledis Autism ABA Instructor David Brown QMC Principal Rachael Butash Behavior Interventionist Danielle Cassista Occupational Therapist Carlie Clayton Occupational Therapist Emmabelle Colton Instructional Assistant Bailey Daigle Intervention Specialist Ryan Defoe Substitute Teacher Bethany Denolfo Autism ABA Instructor Jennifer Dupre Instructional Assistant Meg Garcia Autism ABA Instructor Ashley Green Substitute Teacher Angela Howell Substitute Instructor Rebecca Kent Instructional Assistant Jordan Kight Instructional Assistant Erin Kyle-Sonn Autism ABA Instructor Christina Lewis Social Worker Arianna Navedo Spec. Ed Instructor Colin McNamee Instructor Brenda Parslow Instructional Assistant Taylor Penman Substitute Teacher
Eduardo Perea Hernandez Instructional Assistant
Mariellen Burr Receptionist
Sophia Provencher Instructional Assistant
Joseph Chaput Van Driver
Devon Rogers Occupational Therapist
Alan Chatelle Van Driver
Samantha Schwartz Instructional Assistant
Jonathan Chatelle Driver Aide
Hannah Seddon Teacher
Nilda Collazo Van Driver
Matthew Sibley-Jett Special Ed. Instructor
Genesis Conde-Lopez Driver Aide
Dawn Sherman LPN
Thomas Dyer Van Driver
Shauni Small Instructional Assistant
Katherine Echevarria Van Driver
Ashley Spalty Special Ed. Instructor
Tina Fitts Food Service Worker
Jasmine Therrien Intervention Specialist
Jennifer Gonzalez Van Driver
Molly Vines Tutor
Amy Gouin Van Driver
Rebecca Violette Autism ABA Instructor
Diane Guartan CDL Driver
Jessica Walsh Substitute Counselor
Michael Hamad Marketing & Communications Specialist
Amanda Wedge Behavioral Specialist Emily Weigand Special Ed. Instructor Kheya Williams Instructional Assistant Organizational Support Services Rudina Abdullovski Food Service Worker Daniel Bezio Driver Aide Shawn Brodeur Director of Facilities Christine Burdick Receptionist
Ashley Ingles Van Driver Kellie Kilpatrick Food Service Worker Anna Kudzal Driver Aide Swarup Marasini Van Driver Christy Meikle Food Service Worker Monique Mendez Driver Aide Amy Miner CDL Driver Richard Nosal CDL Driver
Employee Update | Fall 2021 Angela Pember Food Service Worker
Roland Roy CDL Driver
Eric Strout Maintenance Worker
Frank Robbins CDL Driver
Jennifer Scott Food Service Worker
Heather Todd Van Driver
Maribel Rodriguez Driver Aide
Jeanetta Singletary-Bailey Van Driver
Antonio Torres Maintenance Worker
Emmanuel Rodriguez Santiago Van Driver
Julie Slover Food Service Worker
Latasha White Driver Aide
Technology Solutions Anthony Jean System/Data Analyst Timothy Jones Technology Specialist
Employee Milestone Anniversaries Name Years Of Title/Role Service
Name Years Of Title/Role Service
30+ Years
Travis Godley
5
Teacher
Eva Troyb
5
Neuropsychologist
Karen Schenck Kim Broad
Karen Gregorzek
20 Years
Tina Kramer
Cynthia Chester
Kaitlyn Clements Michael Kolze
Debb Wojciulewicz John Griggs
40 35 30 20 20 20 20 20 20
10-15 Years
Suzette Lefevre
15
Michelle Leduke
15
Lori Garrity
Melissa Jacobs Ravit Stein
15 10 10 10
Miranda Hoar David Hinds
Julia Grenier
Paula Hanlon
Taryn Novotny
Instructional Assistant
Emma Thurlow
Administrative Assistant
Grant Coordinator Head Case Manager Teacher Teacher Teacher Maintenance Worker
10 10 10 10 10
Case Manager
Teacher Head Custodian/Supervisor Adult Education Teacher Autism Aba Instructor School Counselor Clin Dir Psych & Behav Con Services Job Develop. Coordinator Teacher EHS Teacher Aide Logistics Specialist Administrative Assistant
5 Years Karen Fuss
Faith Fisher
Christina Hicks
Betzalie Miranda Lori Clark
Claire Coley
Gregory Biggs Caitlin Collelo
Timothy Crosby
Patricia Kerrigan Lance Leduc
Erica Michalski
Kelsey Tortolano
Rebecca Nyquist
Meghan Hayes-Garcia 15 Christopher Finson
Teacher
Evangelynn Toolan
5 5 5 5 5
Van Driver Administrative Assistant EHS Teacher Van Driver
Christopher Barclay
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Diane Dugas
5
Holly Harder
5
Ann Marie Ferron Brian Levine
Chandra Lownes
5
5
Julie Kulman John Bell
Donald Bond
Denise Flores
Ralph Garrett
Instructional Assistant Social Worker Administrative Assistant Vocational Coordinator Education Specialist Teacher Food Service Worker Educ/Behavioral Specialist III Director Teaching & Learning
Teacher
Rebecca Ray
Carolyn Mershon
Program Director
5
5
Susan Chaves
Teacher
Physical Therapist
Jennifer Wilkosz
Celena Brown
Assistant Prog. Coordinator
5
Guerthie Dunois-Pierre 5 Cheryl Chatelle
O.T. Assistant
5 5 5 5 5 5 5
5 5
Speech Lang. Pathologist Instructional Assistant Instructional Assistant Teacher Driver Aide Van Driver Job Coordinator Instructional Assistant Early Interventionist
Van Driver Van Driver CDL Driver Tutor
Van Driver
Van Driver
5.
Employee Update | Fall 2021
Agency Happenings Adult & Community Programs
Leading & Learning
Adult & Community Programs’ Literacy Volunteer Program is back! EASTCONN offers online training to support your work as a volunteer in our ESL classes. We teach reading and writing skills so our students can improve their job prospects, advance to higher education and better navigate daily life. Email aded@eastconn.org for more information.
Are you a resident of Windham Heights?
EASTCONN runs an after-school program for students in grades 1-5 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for students living in the Windham Heights complex. Get homework assistance from UConn students! For more information, contact Monica Rivera at mrivera@eastconn.org.
Early Childhood Initiatives
K-12 Student Services
Have you seen ECI’s new Head Start & Early Head Start website pages?
Donations are needed for our K-12 students during October - Drop-off in Hampton Lobby
We’ve updated each of our locations with new pictures, videos and staff bios to better inform parents about EASTCONN’s many early childhood care options.
Donation ideas: mac n’ cheese (single-serve, microwaveable preferred), snack bars, Chef Boyardee (pop-top cans and/or microwaveable single-serve), hygiene products All donations MUST be unexpired, new and unopened. Supermarket gift cards ($20 or less) are also appreciated. Questions? Contact Heather Plourde at hplourde@eastconn.org.
Visit “Locations” under the Early Childhood/Head Start & Early Head Start link at www.eastconn.org and take a peek!
Organizational Support EASTCONN's 2021-2022 Employee Handbook has been added to the Required Reading list and requires your attention in the Employee Self-Service portal. If you have not already done so, please log in to ESS at your earliest convenience to review and acknowledge this required material. (Instructions on how to acknowledge this document in ESS were sent to employees in a recent email.) If you need assistance, please contact Human Resources at 860-455-1630.
6.
Technology Support Cybersecurity Tip To ensure everyone’s safety, lock your
computer screen whenever you walk away from your workspace.
It’s time for all EASTCONN staff to take the annual Cybersecurity Awareness Training.
This training improves our ability to recognize malicious email and other malware, and reduces the chance of a security breach. Training only takes 15-20 minutes. Sign in thru the link provided on the Employee Area page: www.eastconn.org/employee-area
Employee Update | Fall 2021
Magnet School News
A RT S AT T H E CA P I T O L T H E AT E R
PERFORMING ARTS MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL
O P E N H O U S E 1 2 / 7 / 2 1 at 6 P M 896 MAIN ST, WILLIMANTIC, CT 06226 860-465-5636 • EASTCONN.ORG/ACT
QUINEBAUG MIDDLE COLLEGE
NOW RECRUITING! 742 Upper Maple St., Danielson, CT 06239 860-932-4100 • www.eastconn.org/qmc
Plainfield Early Head Start & Head Start New beginnings: In July, Plainfield Early Head Start & Head Start moved to 482 Norwich Road, where it shares space with the Town of Plainfield Recreation Department and Senior Center. “It’s a much bigger space for us,” said Family Advocate Donna Jordan. “The rooms and the playground are much larger. We love it.”
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Offers Lifestyle Savings Benefits! Did you know that our EAP program offers you and your family discounts and savings! With the holidays and gift giving on the horizon, you can save money by taking advantage of the offers available by clicking here: esi-gateway.lifeadvantages.net (You will be prompted to sign in or register for a username and password) Enjoy discounts, rewards and perks on thousands of the brands you love in a variety of categories: • Health and Wellness • Apparel • and more! • Auto • Restaurants • Electronics • Beauty and Spa It’s easy to access and start saving! Check out the Deal Catcher page for many deals and coupons! 7.
Employee Update | Fall 2021
Snapshots From Around EASTCONN
Stay Connected to EASTCONN www.eastconn.org 8.
www.facebook.com/wherelearningcomestolife www.linkedin.com/school/eastconn www.instagram.com/eastconn_resc
www.twitter.com/EASTCONNpbc