EASTCONN Employee Update
Spring 2021
www.eastconn.org
faces of EASTCONN
Q&A WITH DR. LINDAJEANNE LAMAGNA SCHWARTZ 1. SHARE WITH US YOUR “ELEVATOR SPEECH” DESCRIBING YOUR ROLE AT EASTCONN. My role at EASTCONN is to lead and shape a program that will provide children with Autism Spectrum Disorders a rigorous, specialized and evidence-based program to help develop skills that will help maximize their potential so they can enjoy an enhanced quality of life. 2. WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE? Helping children with special needs has always been an integral part of my life. Children on the Autism Spectrum, in particular, hold a special place in my heart. I have many ideas for how best to help them develop to their fullest, so sharing my experience and expertise with teachers and staff and seeing them have success implementing suggested strategies is most rewarding.
3. WHERE WERE YOU LAST EMPLOYED, FOR HOW LONG, AND WHAT WAS YOUR TITLE AND ROLE? For nearly a decade before coming to EASTCONN, I served a large school district in CT as a Special Education Coordinator, where I helped lead and oversee special education teachers, related service professionals, BCBAs and non-certified staff. Over the course of my career, I have worked as a SpeechLanguage Pathologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Autism program director for a special-needs Faces of EASTCONN continued on page 7.
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.
Over 100 EASTCONN teachers, administrators and staff received the Moderna vaccines in Hampton in early March and April. Together with the Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH) and their Northeastern Connecticut Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, EASTCONN hosted COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics at its Hampton Administration Offices in response to Gov. Ned Lamont’s priority call to vaccinate Connecticut’s educators.
Teacher Dan Boisvert from ACT points out his “I Got My Vaccine” sticker at the April Vaccination Clinic.
EASTCONN Speech Language Therapist Tracey Neumuth proudly displays her Vaccination Card.
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Employee Update | Spring 2021
News You Can Use Finance Office Updates Submitted by Sharlene Edwards As the end of the 2020-2021 fiscal/school year approaches, please review the information below to ensure a smooth process.
FINAL PAY – For those on the 21-pay schedule, the final pay is June 11, 2021. 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 sedwards@eastconn.org or you can send paper copies through the interoffice mail system. MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE As of January 1, 2021 the new mileage rate was set to $.56 per mile. Mileage forms 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. All June mileage forms must be submitted by Friday, July 9, 2021 in order to be paid from the 2020/2021 budget. PETTY CASH FORMS & DEBIT CARDS – All receipts together with any remaining funds must be submitted to Charlene Hill in the Finance Office by Friday, June 11, 2021.
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REQUISITIONS – All requisitions must be entered into the MUNIS system by Friday, June 11, 2021. Anyone needing to process a requisition after this date MUST contact Sharlene Edwards in the Finance Office. FINAL 2020/2021 PAYMENT TO VENDORS – All Purchase Orders (pink copy together with vendor packing slips) must be received in the Finance Office no later than Friday, July 16, 2021 to be paid from the 2020/2021 budget. It will not be possible for us to write checks in the 2020-2021 database after July 23, 2021. Books will remain open for ADJUSTMENTS ONLY after July 23, 2021. REVENUE INVOICES – All billing information must be submitted to support staff as soon as possible to ensure billing arrives in the Finance Office by Friday, June 11, 2021. QUESTIONS? If you are interested or have any questions regarding the Direct Deposit benefit, please call Jacqui McDonald at 455-1534 or send an E-mail to j.mcdonald@eastconn.org. FINAL PAY on 21-PAY SCHEDULE
6/11/2021
MILEAGE RATE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2021
$.56 per mile
Employee Update | Spring 2021
Agency Happenings
echip-ct EASTERN CONNECTICUT
HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
Activity Challenge Winners January 2021
Winners: Signature $25 Gift Card Week 1 Melissa Jacobs, Charlene Hill Joni Weglein, Anna Forlenza-Bailey Week 2 Rose Jaffery, Catherine Koehler Rachael Leitkowski, Tracey Neumuth Week 3 Rachael Martel, Kristin Stryker Sara Schultz, Briana Patriarca
Story Time From Space On March 24, NASA Astronaut Dr. Kate Rubins read to children and families from the International Space Station as part of Story Time From Space, a project of the Global Space Education Foundation. The event was presented locally via Zoom by Virtual Story Time, a free program for families offered through the EASTCONN Adult Education Programs. For information on future story times and registration links, be sure to follow Adult Programs on Facebook: facebook.com/EASTCONNAdultEducationPrograms
Week 4 Angela Dean, Caitlin Connelly Guerthie Dunois-Pierre, Jeff Martel Winners: Blizzard Prize $50 Gift Card Denise Renfree, Linda Brock
EASTCONN Branding Gets a Refresh You may have noticed that the familiar red E is gradually disappearing from our letterhead, website, publications and other outward facing branding. The tagline, “Where Learning Comes to Life” remains, but won’t always appear with our name. For now, the E can still be seen on building signage and on transportation vehicles, but that will change gradually over time. Questions? Contact Dona Prindle at dprindle@eastconn.org.
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Employee Update | Spring 2021
We welcome all our new employees and congratulate those who are celebrating an anniversary with us!
New Employees Adult Education Programs
K-12 Student Services
Melissa Trahan
Brittney Flores
Gianni DeLaurentis
David Leduke
Sabinna Gauvin
Leading & Learning
Specialist
Kaitlyn Gifford
Receptionist
Manufacturing Resource
Early Childhood Initiatives
Intervention Specialist Instructional Assistant Instructional Assistant Charlotte Herz
Teen Outreach Facilitator
Lillian Baker
Therese John
Nichole Bell
Joshua Lord
Lindsay Cadrin
Sheldon Neal
Tabitha Federer
Johanna Orces Narvaez
Katherine Hayes
Natalia Perez
Josephine Paprota
Allison Paradis
Tracy Popolizio
Nathan Restor
Kayla Webb
Lindajeanne Schwartz
Head Start Substitute Early Interventionist Head Start Substitute Head Start Substitute Head Start Assistant Teacher Head Start Teacher Aide Head Start Manager Head Start Teacher Aide
Special Ed. Instructor Intervention Specialist Interim Principal Tutor
Instructional Assistant Autism ABA Instructor Autism ABA Instructor Program Director Ashley Sherman
Instructional Assistant
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Maria Harmon
Autism ABA Instructor
Driver Aide
Crystal Kalin Driver Aide
Brian Latendresse
Esther Soffer-Roberts
CDL Driver
Grant Facilitator
Floyree McGhee
Stephanie White
Van Driver
Grant Facilitator
Kevin Ramos Merced Driver Aide
Organizational Support Services
Eduardo Rodriguez
Driver Aide
Xavier Alvarado
Migual Saez
Charlene Benjamin
Louise Seace
Frank Boddie
Tucker Voorvaart
Mechanic
Dispatcher
Driver Aide
CDL Driver
Van Driver
Driver Aide
Dylan Boutot Mechanic
Sarah Burgos Van Driver
Larry Casey Dispatcher
Thomas Dyer Van Driver
Mark Hamel Driver Aide
Employee Update | Spring 2021
Employee Anniversaries Name Years Of Title/Role Service
30+ Years Nancy Celentano
32
Staff Development Specialist
Heidi Montigny
33
Instructional Assistant
20 Years
Daniel Verboven 20 Teacher Cynthia Wells
20 Employment/Training
Coordinator
15 Years Benjamin Bolt
15
Van Driver
Michelle Giard
15
Site Coordinator
Cynthia Higgins
15
Early Head Start Teacher Aide
Flora Peterson
15
Early Head Start Teacher
EASTCONN
Is Hiring Drivers! EASTCONN has immediate openings for school van drivers and CDL bus drivers. We offer: • competitive salary rates • training for qualified applicants • health insurance • paid holidays and sick time • 403B retirement plan • employer-paid life insurance and, qualified drivers can bring vehicles home Valid CT driver's license and high school diploma or equivalent are required. If you or someone you know might be interested, have them apply today at
eastconn.org/jobs.
Name Years Of Title/Role Service
10 Years Ellen Tinturin
10
Substitute Head Start
5 Years
Ricardo Coronado Mendez 5 Spanish GED Teacher Carol Drouin
5
Van Driver
Javier Jimenez
5
Van Driver
Dorota Knorr
5
Administrative Assistant
Desiree LaLumiere
5
Driver Aide
Carmen Milanes
5
Van Driver
Ewelina Olak
5
Van Driver
Nicole Pannone
5
Speech Language Assistant
2021-2022 Holiday Schedule July 4th (Sunday) Independence Day (EASTCONN will be closed on Monday, July 5th) September 6th (Monday)
Labor Day
October 11th (Monday)
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
November 11th (Thursday)
Veteran’s Day
November 25th (Thursday)
Thanksgiving Day
November 26th (Friday)
Day After Thanksgiving
December 25th & 27th Winter Break (EASTCONN will be closed Friday, 12/24 and Monday, 12/27) January 1st (Saturday) New Year’s Day (EASTCONN will be closed Friday, 12/31) January 17th (Monday)
Martin Luther King Day
February 21st (Monday)
President’s Day
April 15th (Friday)
Good Friday
May 30th (Monday)
Memorial Day
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Employee Update | Spring 2021
Agency Happenings Adult & Community Programs Monthly Literacy Opportunities Series Virtual Storytime in English & Spanish Each month, the Adult and Community Programs staff is offering a special story time for parents and children in our communities. Attendance is FREE for families, and all ages are welcome! Stories will be read in both English and Spanish. Pre-registration is required at https://bit.ly/ECstorytime and Zoom links will be sent prior to each event. Join us!
Wed., May 19th at 9:30-10:30 a.m. & 6-7:00 p.m.
Early Childhood Initiatives ECI Head Start Applications EASTCONN’S Head Start programs have immediate openings for children, newborn to age 5! Head Start offers free support to pregnant women, preschool children and families throughout Windham county. Our highly qualified early childhood specialists offer support and essential services that help children grow and families thrive. If you, or a family you know, can benefit from these programs, go, or send them to eastconn.org to learn more and to apply.
Organizational Support Get to know the full value of the myCigna app
From programs that help improve your health to tools that help manage your health spending, there’s so much you can do on myCigna.com or the myCigna app! • Find in-network doctors, hospitals and medical services • See cost estimates for medical procedures • Manage and track claims • Compare quality of care information for doctors and hospitals • Access a variety of health and wellness tools and resources Register online at myCigna.com or through the myCigna app today!
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Technology Support A note about SPAM/Phishing emails Just a reminder to be on the lookout for phishing/scam emails, which seem to be on the rise! Be especially careful if you receive any emails with links that require you to log in to receive a document or a fax. EASTCONN does not have any services which send faxes to your email. If you receive any messages about receiving a fax via email (even if it has the EASTCONN logo in it), don’t click any links or open any attachments. We do not provide any services like this. Just delete the emails!
Some reminders: •
Just because someone’s name appears in an email does not mean it actually came from them
•
Email from EASTCONN colleagues (sent from their EASTCONN account) will not have the RED BANNER; the red banner indicates the email originated from outside of EASTCONN
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EASTCONN does not have a fax service which sends faxes to your email
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Your director or manager at EASTCONN will probably never ask you to secretly buy gift cards with your own money. Be careful of emails that ask if you are free because someone needs you do a secret errand for them! Look at the email address. Is it an EASTCONN address? Does the email have a red bar?
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Be very cautious of all links and attachments in emails that originate from outside of EASTCONN
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DO NOT enter your email address and password in a website after clicking a link in an email (which you also shouldn’t do!)
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Be cautious and always have your guard up when reading your email—it’s OK to treat everything as suspicious until you can verify its authenticity!
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If you are ever unsure, you can always ask us or a colleague! Better safe than sorry.
Thank you for being diligent and helping to protect EASTCONN and its users!
Like Us On Facebook! @wherelearningcomestolife
Events, Photos and More!
Employee Update | Spring 2021 Faces of EASTCONN continued from page 1
preschool and K-5 charter school. In addition to my state certification as a Special Education Administrator, I continue to be state certified and licensed as an SLP and licensed as a BCBA, in both NY and CT. Because I do love teaching future educators, I am also an adjunct professor for two universities, teaching courses in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education and I currently serve on the board of CT ABA, too. 4. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO EASTCONN? As a communication and behavior specialist, the opportunity to again focus all of my energies on children with complex learning profiles.
the beach together for the past 35 years and we use the same travel Scrabble kit we’ve had for all this time! Unfortunately, I have only won 1 game in all these years, but I keep trying! 6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE? “If they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn” ~ O. Ivar Lovaas To me, this quote speaks to the essence of why we do what we do, and the way we do it each and every day.
5. SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU THAT WE WOULDN’T KNOW OTHERWISE. A favorite at-the-beach activity is playing Scrabble with my husband! We have been playing Scrabble on
ARTS AT THE CAPITOL THEATER
PE R F OR MING ART S MA G NET HIG H S CHO O L
From Our Magnets All In!
QUINEBAUG MIDDLE COLLEGE
On March 29, students at ACT and QMC returned to a 5-day, all-in schedule. Welcome back! www.eastconn.org/ACT
www.eastconn.org/QMC 7.
Employee Update | Spring 2021
Snapshots From Around EASTCONN
Stay Connected to EASTCONN www.eastconn.org 8.
www.facebook.com/wherelearningcomestolife https://www.linkedin.com/school/eastconn/mycompany/ https://www.instagram.com/eastconn_resc/
https://twitter.com/EASTCONNLL