EASTCONN FALL/WINTER 2022

Employee Update

eastconn.org

Faces of EASTCONN

Q&A With Patricia Ann Proctor

Share with us your “elevator

speech”

describing your role at EASTCONN.

I am the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for EASTCONN overseeing the Accounting/Finance department for the agency, which includes accounts payable/receivable, payroll and grant management, as well as general ledger accounting and supporting various other school districts in their accounting functions.

What do you like best about your current role?

I like that no two days are the same in my world. I also like that we are the backbone of the agency, providing the financial support for the various programs to accomplish what they set out to do.

Where were you last employed, for how long, and what was your title and role?

For the last four-and-a-half years prior to joining EASTCONN, I was the CFO/COO of an on-site manufacturing company that manufactured, processed, packaged and distributed beauty accessories, as well as imported products from China and Korea to various customers such as CVS, Walmart, Walgreens and Dollar General.

What brought you to EASTCONN?

My company was in the process of being acquired. I had noticed the job opening for EASTCONN, and because I had not-for profit experience in my background, I applied.

Share a fun fact about you that we would not know

otherwise.

I ride and own three Harley Davidson motorcycles.

What is your favorite quote?

“And to think, it all started with a mouse.” - Walt Disney

Would you like to nominate an EASTCONN employee for an upcoming Faces of EASTCONN article?

Email your suggestion to dprindle@eastconn.org with a short message of explanation.

Executive Director’s Corner

The holidays are right around the corner. For me, that means time for gathering with family and friends to share stories, food, laughter and to create lasting memories. Wishing you and your loved ones health and happiness throughout the holiday season.

– Eric S. Protulis, EASTCONN Executive Director

– Patricia Ann Proctor, EASTCONN CFO

Using Direct Deposit Yet? Switch today!

Direct Deposit is the electronic transfer of payroll to your bank account(s). It is the easiest, safest, most reliable and convenient way to get paid, and it’s offered to all EASTCONN employees.

Here are some good reasons to use Direct Deposit:

• No more trips to the bank or waiting in line at the drive-thru.

• No more worrying about lost checks or waiting for your check to be re-issued.

• No more worrying about picking up your check in bad weather.

• No more having to pick up your check when schools are closed.

• No more making arrangements when you are unable to pick up your check or when you are away.

If you have questions or are interested in learning more about the benefits of Direct Deposit, call Sharlene Edwards at 860-455-1519 or email sedwards@eastconn.org

Staff Communications Now also on eastconn.org

Looking for an old email from HR? Did you just remember you wanted to sign up for a class, but you can’t recall who the email came from?

ALL EASTCONN communications can now be found on eastconn.org in the employee area! www.eastconn.org/employee-area

My Cigna COVID-19 Test Claim Form

If you are a Cigna member through EASTCONN and are purchasing over-the-counter COVID-19 tests, you may be eligible for reimbursement.

After purchase, visit MyCigna.com and upload your receipt under the “Claims” tab. Receipt must clearly show the date of purchase and COVID-19 test charges. Follow the prompts carefully.

You can also submit a claim through the mail using the form and instructions found in an email sent to all EASTCONN employees by Melanie Marcaccio on 11/15/22.

Please contact Larisa Carr at lcarr@eastconn.org with questions. www.mycigna.com

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 Protulis, Executive Director, eprotulis@eastconn.org EASTCONN, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton, CT 06247, 860-455-0707 • eastconn.org

Technology Solutions

Our Technology Solutions division is offering the following free, in-person trainings this fall. Please register two days prior to registration date.

Improving Your Skills with Microsoft Excel

Thurs., Nov. 17 • 10-11:30 a.m. • Hampton https://events.dudesolutions.com/eastconn/event/improving-yourskills-with-microsoft-excel-1

Adobe Acrobat

Thurs., Dec. 8 • 2:30-4 p.m. • Hampton https://events.dudesolutions.com/eastconn/event/adobe-acrobat-1

Introduction to Google Sheets

Wed., Dec. 14 • 2:30-4 p.m. • Hampton https://events.dudesolutions.com/eastconn/event/ introduction-to-google-sheets-1

You can also access free, online self-paced trainings on technology and professional development topics via SkillSets Online. You can request a SkillSets Online account by scanning this QR code (the link is also available on the Technology Solutions Intranet page): https://app.onedesk.com/skillsets-account-request

2022 W2s

2022-2023

Holiday Schedule

Thursday, November 24th - Thanksgiving Day

Friday, November 25th - Day after Thanksgiving Monday, December 26th - Winter Break Tuesday, December 27th - Winter Break Monday, January 2nd - New Year’s Day Monday, January 16th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, February 20th - Presidents’ Day

Friday, April 7th - Good Friday Monday, May 29th - Memorial Day Monday, June 19th - Juneteenth

Human Resources

Attention all staff! The 2022-2023 EASTCONN Employee Handbook is required reading. If you haven’t already done so, log in to ESS at your earliest convenience to review and acknowledge that you have reviewed the handbook. Instructions on how to acknowledge the handbook can be found in Staff Communications: https://tinyurl.com/mry9xktn

Finance Office Update

Mileage Reimbursement Reminder

It’s nearly the end of the year, and our Finance Office will begin printing employee W2s after January 1st. To avoid delays, make sure that your information is correct before December 31st. Ver ify your name, address and social security number either on your check or in Employee Self Service (ESS), found on the Employee Intranet. Report any discrepancies to Sharlene Edwards in the Payroll office immediately. You can reach Sharlene at 860-455-1519 or sedwards@eastconn.org

If you have any questions regarding the W2 process or have interest in the Direct Deposit benefit, please reach out to Sharlene.

Do you submit mileage reimbursement forms? Has your license or auto insurance policy been renewed recently?

EASTCONN requires all agency employees who use their personal vehicle(s) for agency business to submit copies of their valid, updated driver’s license and auto insurance certificate to our Finance department in order to receive mileage reimbursement.

You can either email a scanned copy of both documents to Sharlene Edwards at sedwards@eastconn.org or send paper copies to her through the interoffice mail system.

New Employees

Welcome to the agency!

#WeAreEASTCONN

Adult Education Programs

Susan Beauregard

Head Case Manager

Diane Blake Adult Education Teacher

Kaitlyn Butler Case Manager

Nicole Darbois Substitute Teacher

Alyssa Elsey Employment Specialist

Kenneth Maher Substitute Teacher

Bonnie Majkut Summer Teacher

Kayla Marzbanian-Day Secretary

Robert Moore Substitute Teacher

Carolyn Morrison Substitute Teacher

Yamilez Perea Gonzalez Employment Specialist

Carla Pizano-Lopez Program Assistant

Pat Placido Internship Leader

Early Childhood Initiatives

Thomas Pavliscsak

Special Ed. Instructor

Elisa Reci-Rivera Autism ABA Instructor

Stephanie Roberts Teacher

Maria Rojas Allende Instructional Assistant

Julia Seymour IEP Training Coordinator

Dana Sobanski Job Coordinator

Troy Sutterfield Special Ed. Instructor

Annie Wojciechowski Autism ABA Instructor

Charity Wong Kam Teacher

Leslie Wong Perez Autism ABA Instructor

Organizational Support

Patricia Ann Proctor

Chief Financial Officer

Eric S. Protulis Executive Director

Leading & Learning

Erin McGurk

Jennifer Basley

Substitute Basic Head Start

Sable Beley BHS Teacher Aide

Coraliz Colon-Ortiz Secretary

Jailyn Gancarz BHS Assistant Teacher

Kasey Grundy BHS Teacher

Katelyn Morrissette Early Interventionist

Katherine Murdock BHS Teacher

Josephine Paprota Substitute Basic Head Start

Michelle Reyes Early Interventionist

Samantha Rock Substitute Early Head Start

K-12 Student Services

Laura Anderson

Instructional Assistant

Cristina Andres Intervention Specialist

Ashley Boyle Educ/Behavioral Specialist

Javier Cuevas Job Coordinator

Lisa Cutrone

Occupational Therapist

Amy Daniels Autism ABA Instructor

Ryan Defoe Instructional Assistant

William Diaz Special Ed. Instructor

Soemi Fiasconaro Autism ABA Instructor

Emily Hinkle Autism ABA Instructor

Andrew Ibscher Autism ABA Instructor

Kiera Jeffreys Instructional Assistant

Ana Kyrcz Teacher

Zichao Li Special Ed. Instructor

Jessica Lievense Educ/Behavioral Specialist

Melyssa Madrak Special Ed. Instructor

Paige Martineau Instructional Assistant

Allyxandra Mathieu Autism ABA Instructor

Sheila Mccracken IEP Training Coordinator

Nicole Michaud Instructional Assistant

Carly Ouellet Special Ed. Instructor

Jennifer Pallo Special Ed. Instructor

Nicholas Brockett

Director of Talent Development

Technology Support

IT Systems Analyst

Shannon Rittner Administrative Assistant

Alexander Zegarra IT Systems Analyst

Transportation

Rebecca Adams Van Driver

Christian Alvarez Driver Aide

Jessica Ames Driver Aide

Robert Carmichael Van Driver

Gwendolyn Caudill CDL Driver

Michelle Fortin Van Driver

Anthony Gagliardi Van Driver

David Irish Driver Aide

Lisa Kay Driver Aide

Mary Jo Kellogg Van Driver

Sherry Major Van Driver

Raymond Maldonado Ortiz Van Driver

Olympia Marcano Van Driver

Jeffrey Marti Van Driver

Douglas Michaud Driver Aide

Eddie Morales Torres Driver Aide

Kayleigh Mowrey CDL Driver

Sarai Munoz CDL Driver

Miguel Nieves Van Driver

Koren Ortiz CDL Driver

Pablo Paulino Driver Aide

Rachael Riquier CDL Driver

Jessica Rodriguez Van Driver

Tammy Strnad CDL Driver

Tammy Woolley Van Driver

Employee Anniversaries

40+ Years

Karen Schenck 41 Teacher

30+ Years

Kim Broad 36 Administrative Assistant

Frederick Nieves 35 Assistant Director of Transp.

Cynthia Lavigne 34 Dispatcher

Karen Gregorzek 31 Instructional Assistant

20+ Years

Ileana Nieto 29 Early Intervention Specialist

Sharlene Edwards 28 Payroll Specialist

Madeline Montalvo 22 Custodian

John Griggs 21 Maintenance Worker

Tina Kramer 21 Grant Coordinator

Cynthia Chester 21 Head Case Manager

Kaitlyn Donahue 21 Teacher

Michael Kolze 21 Teacher

Debb Wojciulewicz 21 Teacher

Daniel Verboven 21 Teacher

15 Years

Jane Glenn 15 Teacher

William Rumley 15 Teacher

Louise Brodeur 15 Service Coordinator/Evaluator

10 Years

Yaritza Gonzalez 10 CDL Driver

Rose Jaffery 10 Educ/Behavioral Specialist

Larisa Carr 10 ECHIP Administrator

Sheri Lambert 10 Early Childhood Specialist

Kurt Mias 10 NRP Program Director

Randolph Nokes 10 Teacher

Derrick Jones 10 Human Services Navigator

Sarah Turner 10 Speech Language Pathologist

Melanie Rovero 10 Guidance Counselor

Geraldine Dineen 10 Adult Education Teacher

Thomas Maclean 10 Van Driver - Food Services

Nadine Maciolek 10 CDL Driver

Louisa French 10 Substitute Basic Head Start

5 Years

Judith Mezzomo-Perault 5 Physical Therapist

Miguel Saez 5 Dispatcher/Operations

Nikolas Cote 5 Behavior Interventionist

Emily Stewart 5 BHS Teacher

Rebecca Gianforte 5 Teacher

Angela Dean 5 Art and Graphic Designer

Carol Minot 5 EHS Assistant Teacher

Margaret Gagnon 5 Dishwasher

Robin Salois 5 Food Service Worker

Rebecca Breen 5 Director of Birth To Three

Courtney Churchill 5 Instructional Assistant

Whitney Massaro 5 School Counselor

Heidi Radcliffe 5 Coop Purchasing Clerk

Jefrey Bowden 5 Behavior Interventionist

Joanne Sailor 5 Instructional Assistant

Paul Stensland 5 Van Driver

Cheryl Sanderson 5 Program Facilitator

Stephanie ShABAnowitz 5 Teacher

Joseph Schroth 5 Dishwasher

Ralph Garrett 5 Van Driver

Christine Connell 5 Dishwasher

Holly Montecalvo 5 BHS Teacher Aide

Kathleen Haney 5 Food Service Worker

Lea Finnie 5 Speech Language Pathologist

Kimberly Bush 5 Director Of Transportation

Jean Hemmig 5 Teacher

Brianna Jordan 5 Educ/Behavioral Specialist

Anslem Elumogo 5 Van Driver

Congratulations to all those who are celebrating an anniversary with us!

All Around EASTCONN

Snow Days

Be sure to check with your supervisor or principal for school and program protocols for closings and delays.

Also remember to watch your step in parking lots and on sidewalks on snowy days. Please be safe this winter!

Stay Connected to EASTCONN

Follow the latest agency news and happenings on our social media channels. facebook.com/wherelearningcomestolife instagram.com/eastconn_resc eastconn.org/youtube

Staying Healthy This Season

You’ve seen the reports – respiratory illnesses (influenza, RSV & COVID-19) are on the rise this fall. Here are some handy recommendations from the CT Department of Public Health on how to stay healthy:

• Get your seasonal flu vaccine and COVID-19 boosters

• Stay home if you are sick

• Cover your cough/wear a mask with mild symptoms

• Wash your hands

• Routinely clean/disinfect surfaces

General guidelines for returning to school and work:

For a complete list scan this QR code or go to https://www.eastconn.org/index.php/about/social-media

For influenza and RSV, you may return if you are fever-free and feeling well enough. For COVID-19, you may return if fever-free and other symptoms are improved; mask through day 10.

Catering Update

Please see the complete booking guidelines on the Employee Intranet at https://intranet.eastconn.org/index. php/departments/conference-office

Autumn is in full swing, and we are booking many events here at EASTCONN.

Due to ongoing supply chain, staffing, and kitchen restraints, however, it is very important to submit catering requests at least two weeks in advance of your event. This allows for time to review, approve and plan your requests. We appreciate your flexibility at this time, and we look forward to serving you!

If you have any questions about booking spaces or using our catering services, contact Paula Hanlon at phanlon@eastconn.org.

Magnet School News

ARTS AT THE CAPITOL THEATER PERFORMING ARTS MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL

ACT’s fall musical, “Spring Awakening,” will take place on Dec. 8-10 at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Theater in Willimantic, with an additional performance on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. Our annual Student Dance Company Performance, “Seven Graces,” will be held on Jan. 13-14.

ACT was also proud to induct nine new members into its chapter of National Honor Society for the 2022-2023 school year. Congratulations to all!

ACT is currently recruiting students for Spring 2023 and for the 2023-2024 school year. Visit www.eastconn.org/act for details.

With the holidays coming up, the QMC Spirit Wear Shop is now open! QMC branded attire - sweatshirts, t-shirts, joggers, jackets and more - are now available through the QMC online store. Visit https://tinyurl.com/457f65av and start shopping today!

QMC will host its annual Student Film Festival on Nov. 21, fol lowed by Prospective Student Night on Dec. 6, an Expo Night/ Art Gallery event on Jan. 13 and Honors Night on Jan. 25.

QMC is currently recruiting students for the 2023-2024 school year. Head to www.eastconn.org/qmc for details.