FALL 2018
EmployeeUpdate
faces of EASTCONN September 23-29, 2018, is National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week – a week to raise awareness of and support access to basic education programs for the 36 million U.S. adults with low literacy skills.
Two EASTCONN employees work to accomplish this goal on a daily basis. Meet Adult and Community Programs Counselors Melanie Rovero and Jessica Dapsis. Melanie is currently housed at the Northeast Learning Center in Danielson. Jessica can be found at the Community Learning Center in Willimantic.
EASTCONN Adult and Community Program Counselors. Pictured left to right: Melanie Rovero, 6 years with EASTCONN; Jessica Dapsis, 4 years.
“EASTCONN offers three options [for earning a diploma],” said Dapsis. “We talk [to students] about what option fits into their lifestyle and SEPTEMBER 23-29 their plans for the future. We also IS ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY examine barriers they’ve faced in LITERACY WEEK education and how we can overcome them.”
“We work with adults who are 17 years or older and haven’t acquired a high school diploma,” said Rovero. “While our focus is academic counseling, we also address social/emotional issues that might impact their academic success.”
Both counselors agree that the variety of work responsibilities, diversity of students’ backgrounds and a strong teacher team makes their job most rewarding.
“The staff is truly dedicated to helping students succeed,” said Dapsis. “It’s important people also know that Adult and Community Programs offers much more than just GED,” said Rovero. “English-as-a-second-language is a huge piece of what we do, too... We want people to call, even if it’s just to ask questions. There is a lot of flexibility in our programs and we have a very welcoming environment.”
Learn more: www.eastconn.org/adult-programs-home Would you like to nominate an EASTCONN employee for an upcoming Faces of EASTCONN article? Email your suggestion to tsleight@eastconn.org with a short message explaining your nomination.
Mary (“M.K.”) Tshonas is Named Principal at QMC
EASTCONN is pleased to announce that Mary K. Tshonas (formerly Knox) has been chosen to lead Quinebaug Middle College (QMC), an EASTCONN magnet high school located on the campus of Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC). “QMC is a hidden gem,” said Tshonas. “What we offer to students in this region is unlike any other educational institution and I’m thrilled to be part of it…I fully and firmly believe in the mission of QMC and its personalized learning environment, as well as its democratic learning community, where students have a voice and a choice. I also feel Principal continued on page 2
$
finance UPDATES by Sharlene Edwards
Early Payroll Deadlines: – Due to upcoming holidays, there are a few early deadlines for payroll. All time sheets/Employee Self Service (ESS) entries are due in the Human Resources Office by noon on the dates listed below: • November 16, 2018 payroll – Deadline is Thursday, November 8 • November 30, 2018 payroll – Deadline is Tuesday, November 20 • December 28, 2018 payroll – Deadline is Wednesday, December 19 • January 25, 2019 payroll – Deadline is Thursday, January 17
2018 W2’s – Please verify that your name and address are correct on your check and pay stub. Report any discrepancies directly to the Payroll Office by December 31, 2018. This information must be correct before we print W2’s for 2018.
Direct Deposit – EASTCONN encourages the use of Direct Deposit for all
employees! Electronic transfer of your paycheck directly to your bank account(s) is the safest, most reliable and convenient way to get paid. If you are interested, or have any questions regarding the Direct Deposit benefit, please call the Payroll Office at 455-1524 or send an e-mail to atetrault@eastconn.org.
message board EASTCONN
NEED 9-1-1?
The road to improvement – call your Employee Assistance Program Coach!
Principal continued from page 1 incredibly fortunate to have the staff that we do.” Tshonas first joined QMC five years ago as the STEM instructional coach and data facilitator. During her tenure at QMC, Tshonas developed a variety of curricular materials, aligned assessments, authored Magnet Themed Units and honed programming for QMC’s diverse student body.
CALL IF YOU CAN. TEXT IF YOU CAN’T. CALL IF YOU CAN. Tap into your free one-on-one Personal Coaching
NEED 9-1-1? benefits to boost your personal and professional growth. Call 1.800.252.4555 and ask to speak to a Coach.
NEED 9-1-1?
“[Mary Kay] brings an ideal professional background to her new leadership position and has clearly demonstrated a keen understanding of the school’s mission, students and staff. Her new role at QMC is well earned, and I look forward to supporting her student-centered work,” said EASTCONN Executive Director Gary S. Mala.
CALL IF YOU CAN. TEXT IF YOU If it’s not safe toCAN’T. speak, TEXT IF YOU you CAN’T. can still ask for help. If it’s not safe to speak, for help.
If it’s not safe to speak, you cancan still ask for help. you still ask
Text-to-911 is now available in Connecticut.
is now available in phone, Connecticut. IfText-to-911 you’re in an emergency and can’t speak on the
Text-to-911 is now available in Connecticut.
NEED 9-1-1?
If you’re in an emergency and can’t speak on the phone, you can use your mobile phone to send a
text message to 9-1-1. If you’re in an emergency and can’t speak on the phone,
you can use your mobile phone to send a text message to 9-1-1.
you can use your mobile phone to send a
For more information, visit Text911CT.org
text message to 9-1-1.
EASTCONN HAS CALL IF YOU CAN. TEAMS! TEXT IF YOUTOP CAN’T.
For more information, visit Text911CT.org
For more information, visit Text911CT.org
Connect with us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/2019258/
If it’s not safe to speak, you can still ask for help. Text-to-911 is now available in Connecticut.
If you’re in an emergency and can’t speak on the phone, you can use your mobile phone to send a text message to 9-1-1.
Community Education Classes
For more information, visit Text911CT.org
Receive A 10% Employee Discount Visit: www.eastconn.org/communityed/
Copyright © 2018 State of Connecticut
Have an event, program or special activity that you’d like to share with the EASTCONN community?
E-mail your suggestion to tsleight@eastconn.org
Copyright © 2018 State of Connecticut
Copyright © 2018 State of Connecticut
Copyright © 2018 State of Connecticut
EASTCONN is a public, non-profit Regional Educational Service Center that has been serving the education needs of northeastern Connecticut schools and communities since 1980.
T echnology Solutions O rganizational Support P rofessional Development for Educators T ransportation E arly Childhood Programs A dult Education & Job Skills Programs M agnet High Schools S pecial Education Programs K-12
EASTCONN spotlight Adult Education Receives Student Retention Grant The Chelsea Groton Bank Foundation awarded EASTCONN Adult and Community Programs a grant for the Student Retention for Success initiative. Pictured: Keith Caplet, Vice President of Chelsea Groton Bank presents Rich Tariff, EASTCONN Director of Adult and Community Programs, with a check for $2,000.
technology UPDATE Employee perk!
THE DATES!
EASTCONN’s Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) English and Creative Writing teacher Stacy Vocasek was one of only 52 participants selected to take part in the 2018 National Gallery of Art Teacher Institute on Storytelling and the Visual Arts held in Washington, D.C., in July.
EASTCONN Programs & Services Catalog is out! Visit the link to learn more about the 150+ high-quality programs and services EASTCONN offers.
Get Office 2016 for home use for $9.95! Visit the employee Intranet page for more information and to sign up.
SAVE
ACT Teacher Selected to Attend Institute at The National Gallery of Art
2018-2019
Programs & Services Catalog
Adult & Community Programs Early Childhood Initiatives K-12 Student Services Organizational Support Teaching & Learning Technology Solutions
www.eastconn.org/media-publications/publications
ARTS AT THE CAPITOL THEATER (ACT)
QUINEBAUG MIDDLE COLLEGE (QMC)
SHOWCASE Nov. 14, 2018, at 7:00 p.m.
OPEN HOUSE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
See work done in ACT’s classrooms since the start of the school year! Admission: $5, For tickets call: 860-465-5636
OPEN HOUSE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Dec. 6, 2018 or Jan. 17, 2019 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. QVCC Auditorium • Dinner will be served
Dec. 12, 2018, 6 p.m. at ACT
EASTCONN in our community
UNITY DAY 3 Cardloads of Supplies
UNITY DAY 80 Literacy Kits Assembled
UNITY DAY Workin on Literacy Kits
We Painted Rocks with the Willimantic Library
Summer Youth Program Supported Local Business
human resources UPDATES by Kerry Akana ANNIVERSARIES MAY NANCY DAVIS TERESA GOCHROS LORI GARRITY YARITZA GONZALEZ ERICA LEONE
JUNE
TINA KRAMER RICHARD TARIFF VALERIE ENNIS AIME DALLAIRE
JULY
E ASCHENBRENNER KIM BROAD SUZANNE CIMOCHOWSKI NANCY WHITEHEAD CYNTHIA CHESTER KAITLYN CLEMENTS KAREN NIEVES JODIE JACARUSO MICHAEL DAVIDSON PRESTON HYER MELISSA JACOBS RAVIT STEIN MIRANDA HOAR SANDRA GARCIA ROSE JAFFERY JESSICA DE LOS PEREZ JENISSE MORALES
AUGUST
PAULA MACY SUSAN EDDY BETTE MANNING DIANE DALPHONSE JANET SMITH CYNTHIA LAVIGNE VICKI TOLHURST KIMBERLY MCCALL MADELINE MONTALVO MICHAEL KOLZE DEBB WOJCIULEWICZ SANDRA EVANS-ABBOTT TIANA SEKOLL JENNIFER SNYDER CHRISTOPHER FINSON THOMAS CRONIN YORIKO HOTTA JANE GLENN WILLIAM RUMLEY DONNA DALY-ATHERTON JONATHAN DIPIPPO DONNA LANDRY SARAH MALLORY KATHERINE POPOVIC ANN BEDARD JUDITH MURPHY MEGHAN CANNING NORMA GERVAIS SUZETTE LEFEVRE KAREN MCELROY
We welcome all our new employees and congratulate those who are celebrating an anniversary with us!
9 8 7 6 5
REGIONAL NEDP EARLY INTERVENTION ASSOCIATE AUTISM ABA INSTRUCTOR VAN DRIVER BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONIST
17 10 9 7
ASSIST. TO ADULT SERV./FINANCE DIR. OF ADULT & COMM. PROGRAMS INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT VAN DRIVER
34 32 30 30 17 17 13 11 9 8 7 7 7 7 6 5 5
EDUCATION SPECIALIST ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ASSIST. DIR. OF ADULT PROGRAMS SECRETARY HEAD CASE MANAGER TEACHER DRIVER AIDE ACCOUNTANT DRIVING INSTRUCTOR TEACHER SCHOOL COUNSELOR PSYCH & BEHAVORIAL SERV. COOR. JOB DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR ADULT PROG. OPERATIONS SPEC. BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST, PH.D JFES EMPLOYMENT ADVOCATE PROGRAM ASSISTANT
34 32 31 31 31 30 21 18 18 17 17 15 15 14 12 12 12 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 9
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST PHYSICAL THERAPIST VAN DRIVER TEACHER ASSISTANT TO DIRECTOR OF HR SUPPORT DRIVER TUTOR VAN DRIVER CUSTODIAN TEACHER TEACHER INSTRUCTOR INSTRUCTOR ERESA COORDINATOR HEAD CUSTODIAN/SUPERVISOR DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SERVICES TEACHER TEACHER TEACHER SPECIAL ED. INSTRUCTOR TEACHER REGIONAL NEDP PRINCIPAL TEACHER SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TEACHER JOB COORDINATOR TEACHER TEACHER
JOSEPH TORRES KRISTINA WILSEY LINDA HEMENWAY CAROL KLEMYK PAUL COLELLA KRISTIN JAMES JASON MATTIA JESSICA MIGLIO STACY VOCASEK DAVID HINDS LAURA JAY JULIA GRENIER LARISA CARR SHERI LAMBERT KURT MIAS RANDOLPH NOKES DON SKEWES AUSTIN HALL DERRICK JONES SARAH TURNER KRISTIN HEMPEL ANTONIO TORRES ERIN DUNN DONALD CURTIS KARYN EVES HEATHER FITZGERALD JENNIFER HOWE KERRY KILBOURNE SARAH MURPHY SCOTT NIERENDORF BETHANY POMERANTZ ANNE ROBINSON LISA DESMARAIS SHERRYL CURRAN MICHAEL SUSI FRANCES TORRES-ORTIZ
SEPTEMBER
DEBRA SIEGEL KAREN SCHENCK VIVIAN BATTERSON SUSAN HOGAN JUDITH KNOWLES FREDERICK NIEVES HELEN JEANNOTTE NANCY JAGACZEWSKI CAROL MAGLIOCCO FRANK GRABOWSKI ANGELA FRATI LOUISE BRODEUR TRACY GUSTAFSON DANIEL BOISVERT MELINDA JUDSON DONNA EVANS PAULA HANLON TARYN NOVOTNY MITCHELL SIBLEY-JETT MELANIE ROVERO GERALDINE DINEEN LESLIE MCCLELLAN BARON FAIOLA HEATHER SANSONE CLAUDINE AUXIER-CASEY AIDA RODRIGUEZ
9 9 9 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
TUTOR INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT CDL DRIVER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT DATABASE DEVELOPER EDUCATION SPECIALIST TEACHER TEACHER TEACHER TEACHER TEACHER EHS TEACHER AIDE HEALTH INS COOPERATIVE ADMIN. EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIALIST PROGRAM DIRECTOR TEACHER DIR. SEC & INVESTIGATIONS TEACHER HUMAN SERVICES NAVIGATOR SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST ASSOC. DIR. OF ADULT PROGRAMS MAINTENANCE WORKER BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST TEACHER TEACHER TEACHER TEACHER VAN DRIVER INSTRUCTOR DIRECTOR OF T&L TEACHER SPECIAL ED. INSTRUCTOR CDL DRIVER BHS ASSISTANT TEACHER TUTOR SECRETARY
42 37 34 33 32 31 29 21 16 15 13 11 10 10 9 9 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5
STAFF DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST TEACHER STAFF DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST PHYSICAL THERAPIST INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRANSP. VAN DRIVER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY COOR. VAN DRIVER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT HS HOME VISITOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST TEACHER BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONIST CDL DRIVER LOGISTICS SPECIALIST ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT VOCATIONAL COORDINATOR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR ADULT EDUCATION TEACHER HRLY VAN DRIVER TUTOR BHS TEACHER JOB COORDINATOR VAN DRIVER
NEW EMPLOYEES HEAD START PROGRAMS
SHARED SERVICES
CHERYL LAMOTHE
EHS COORDINATOR
HAMPTON CENTRAL OFFICE
SUZANNE LYNCH
HS HOME VISITOR
TOLLAND
SUZANNE MICHAUD
FAMILY SERVICE COORDINATOR
HAMPTON CENTRAL OFFICE
MARYANN HICKELTON INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
WILLINGTON
KERRI NEVILLE
BHS TEACHER
KILLINGLY
ZACHARY LOUGHEAD
HEAD START FAMILY ADVOCATE
PLAINFIELD
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
E.O. SMITH
RYANNE O'CONNOR-EVERETT
ZOE MCAVOY
WILLINGTON
STEPHANIE SCAGLIARINI
BHS TEACHER
PLAINFIELD
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
RICHARD WELDEN
E.O. SMITH
TERRILYNN SHAW
BHS PROGRAM AIDE
PLAINFIELD
SPECIAL ED. INSTRUCTOR
BAILEY SMITH
EHS TEACHER AIDE
PLAINFIELD
TECHNOLOGY
JENNIFER SPELLMAN
HEALTH MANAGER
ASSIGNED
CHRISTINE BENVENUTI
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
COLUMBIA/KILLINGLY
STACEY BLAKE
SPECIAL ED. INSTRUCTOR
COLUMBIA/KILLINGLY
KAYTLYN HOBBS
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
COLUMBIA/KILLINGLY
SPECIAL ED. INSTRUCTOR
COLUMBIA/KILLINGLY
NRP
JOHN LORANGE
PBS
KAITLYN BURDICK
KEVIN SKRODZKI
BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST
COMMERCE DRIVE, COLUMBIA
LAURA FINDLAY
DOCTORAL INTERN
COMMERCE DRIVE, COLUMBIA
TAYLOR KORIAKIN
BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONIST
COMMERCE DRIVE, COLUMBIA
MICHAEL DUBE
DEAN OF STUDENTS
QMC
DAWN LONG
DISHWASHER
QMC
JODY MORRISSETTE
SECRETARY
QMC
CAITLIN CONNELLY
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
ASSIGNED
ERIN WALSH
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
ASSIGNED
RELATED SERVICES
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
TRANSPORTATION
JENNIFER CONNOLLY
QMC
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
WILLINGTON CENTER SCHOOL
HAMPTON CENTRAL OFFICE
KARI AUGUST
DATA/BILLING CLERK
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
SHIRLEY BABBITT
DRIVER AIDE
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
AMY BONNER
DRIVER AIDE
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
TERRI BRETON
CDL DRIVER
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
CAROL ESPADA
VAN DRIVER
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
JANE LEBEAU
CDL DRIVER
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
RUSSELL MOFFITT
DRIVER AIDE
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
DOUGLAS ODOM
VAN DRIVER
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
MARIA OFIERO
DRIVER AIDE
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
FRANCO SCALORA
VAN DRIVER
COLUMBIA-TRANSPORTATION
JASON BARBER
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
WOODSTOCK ACADEMY/RTS
STACEY BARROWS
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
WOODSTOCK ACADEMY/RTS
JOSHUA JACOBSON
TEACHER
WOODSTOCK ACADEMY/RTS
JONATHAN MANDELDOVE
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
WOODSTOCK ACADEMY/RTS
KEITH MCLAREN
TEACHER
WOODSTOCK ACADEMY/RTS
RAE PETTIGREW
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
WOODSTOCK ACADEMY/RTS
WA
Abbreviations Key: ACT-Arts at the Capitol Theater, Willimantic • BHS-Basic Head Start • CDT-Clinical Day Treatment Programs, Columbia, Plainfield • CLC-Community Learning Center, Willimantic • EHS-Early Head Start • HCO-Hampton Central Office • HS - Head Start • JFES-Jobs First Employment Services • NLC-Northeast Learning Center, Danielson • QMC-Quinebaug Middle College, Danielson • QVCC-Quinebaug Valley Community College • REL-Related Services • RTS-Regional Transistion Services at QMC Danielson WIOA-Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act
EASTCONN Awards of Excellence
The EASTCONN Awards of Excellence are part of Executive Director Gary Mala’s ongoing efforts to recognize the good work done by employees across the agency. EASTCONN staff are presented certificates during the monthly EASTCONN Executive Board meeting. The following departments we recongized during the April and May meetings:
APRIL ACT
APRIL FOOD SERVICE
APRIL QMC
MAY ADULT EDUCATION
MAY EARLY CHILDHOOD
SUMMER 2018 AT EASTCONN Summer Youth Employment
Math Recovery Training Kate Roberts Visits EASTCONN
Unity Day
Like EASTCONN on Facebook to see more pictures!
/wherelearningcomestolife