The Hamden Town Council is truly feeling the pressure from their constituents this year. We are sure to have a record turn out of parents and townspeople concerned that inadequate funding for the Board of Ed will force them to lay off several teachers, cut programs and maybe even close a school.
The PTA is vehemently opposed to any such measures and encourages those in agreement to speak at tonight's hearing.
You will need to arrive early to sign up to speak; signup isfrom 6 – 6:30.
For those unfamiliar with the process, the hearing will be in Council Chambers in the Town Hall, on corner of Whitney and Dixwell. The Council will hear comments but not respond. They will continue to deliberate and massage numbers until mid May.
Continue to write and call your state legislators about funding and the "55% rule"*; that’s working, too. You can find them at http://www.cga.ct.gov/ or call 800-842-8267.
Thank you for your efforts to be involved and involve other parents inthe process. Please keep up the good work and I’ll see you allWednesday night.
Marjorie
*The 55% rule governs how much money per pupil Hamden gets for students we send to Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School (WIMS). The State gives other districts $8000 per pupil, but Hamden only gets $3000 per pupil, because Hamden students make up more than 55% of the student body. At last count there are five different bills between the CT House and Senate that would give Hamden the additional $5000 per pupil as long as we worked to reduce our participation in the next year or two. At 400 students, that equals $2 million of funding.
S.B.464 - Sponsored by Sen. Crisco
S.B.476 & S.B. 481- Sponsored by Sen. Looney
H.B. 5047 - Sponsard by Rep. Jankowski
H.B. 5766 - Sponsored by Reps. Sharkey, Esty, Villano & Staples.
More info at www.cga.ct.gov
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Board of Ed April 15 Hearing
Thanks to all the PTAs for organizing and parents and teachers for partipating in the Emergency PTA meetings that have been going on the last week or so.
Your involvement is our greatest guarantee that your school and the rest of the Hamden Public School system will make it through whatever setbacks come our way.
As you have all now discussed, teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, elimination of many programs and redistricting, are just a few possible sacrifices we may be asked to make if the Town Council does not fully fund the Superintendent's recommended budget.
Here are actions we need you to take:
Stand with those that feel a strong public school system is a "must fund" investment on Wednesday, April 15 at Town Hall at 7PM, where there will be a public hearing for the Board of Ed budget.
You will need to sign up to speak between 6 and 6:30. Expect there to be a line to sign up, so get there even earlier.
The hearing starts at 7 PM. The council will not be answering back, but simply hearing comments on the Board of Ed's budget and arguments to give the BOE as much funding as possible.
Feel free to bring your children and show them what being an advocate really means. However, be aware that this event could go well past 9 PM.
If you can't go, sign the petition at www.supporthamdeneducation.org or contact your local representatives www.hamden.com/content/43/default.aspx. You could also have your children write letters or draw pictures to send to council members.
April 15 is just the beginning of the deliberation process, so continue to be in touch with your councilperson(s) over the next several weeks. There will be other opportunities for public comment and you will be notified of those events.
In addition, please contact your state representatives. While the local government is working on their budget, the state is working on their's, which is not due until mid June. Every call or email represents several dozen more. Remember that they work for you and will vote based on what they hear from their constituents. They won't know what you think if you don't call. Find and contact your reps at www.cga.ct.gov.
Finally, once the Board of Ed has it's allocation from the town in mid May, they will begin the process of figuring out where to spend that money. Your input in that process is greatly appreciated. All meetings of the Board of Ed are posted at www.hamden.org. They are held at 60 Putnam Avenue and, with the exception of the executive session, are open to the public to listen and comment.
If you have questions or comments about anything regarding our public schools, Superintendent Rabinowitz has an open door policy and welcomes your calls and emails. She can be reached at 407-2090 or frabinowitz@hamden.org.
Thank you for your attention and participation,
Marjorie Clark
President, Hamden PTA Council
http://www.hamdenpta.com
http://www.hamdenpta.ning.com (Join Your PTA's Group)
288-6831
marjorie@littlefishstudios.com
Your involvement is our greatest guarantee that your school and the rest of the Hamden Public School system will make it through whatever setbacks come our way.
As you have all now discussed, teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, elimination of many programs and redistricting, are just a few possible sacrifices we may be asked to make if the Town Council does not fully fund the Superintendent's recommended budget.
Here are actions we need you to take:
Stand with those that feel a strong public school system is a "must fund" investment on Wednesday, April 15 at Town Hall at 7PM, where there will be a public hearing for the Board of Ed budget.
You will need to sign up to speak between 6 and 6:30. Expect there to be a line to sign up, so get there even earlier.
The hearing starts at 7 PM. The council will not be answering back, but simply hearing comments on the Board of Ed's budget and arguments to give the BOE as much funding as possible.
Feel free to bring your children and show them what being an advocate really means. However, be aware that this event could go well past 9 PM.
If you can't go, sign the petition at www.supporthamdeneducation.org or contact your local representatives www.hamden.com/content/43/default.aspx. You could also have your children write letters or draw pictures to send to council members.
April 15 is just the beginning of the deliberation process, so continue to be in touch with your councilperson(s) over the next several weeks. There will be other opportunities for public comment and you will be notified of those events.
In addition, please contact your state representatives. While the local government is working on their budget, the state is working on their's, which is not due until mid June. Every call or email represents several dozen more. Remember that they work for you and will vote based on what they hear from their constituents. They won't know what you think if you don't call. Find and contact your reps at www.cga.ct.gov.
Finally, once the Board of Ed has it's allocation from the town in mid May, they will begin the process of figuring out where to spend that money. Your input in that process is greatly appreciated. All meetings of the Board of Ed are posted at www.hamden.org. They are held at 60 Putnam Avenue and, with the exception of the executive session, are open to the public to listen and comment.
If you have questions or comments about anything regarding our public schools, Superintendent Rabinowitz has an open door policy and welcomes your calls and emails. She can be reached at 407-2090 or frabinowitz@hamden.org.
Thank you for your attention and participation,
Marjorie Clark
President, Hamden PTA Council
http://www.hamdenpta.com
http://www.hamdenpta.ning.com (Join Your PTA's Group)
288-6831
marjorie@littlefishstudios.com
Friday, March 20, 2009
Hamden / North Haven Camp Fair
Parents Get Ready for Summer!
Come Check Out the
Saturday, April 4th, 2009
11:00 am until 2:00 pm
Hamden Middle School
2623 Dixwell AvenueHamden, CT 06518
One-stop shopping for camps and programs for kids in grades K - 12!
Learn about the many different sporting, enrichment, academic, fun and adventure options available in Hamden, Connecticut, New England and beyond.
Stop by to pick up information and speak with camp representatives.
Already on the list of attendees…
· Awosting & Chinqueka
· Camp Farwell
· Camp Kaizen
· Camp Mohawk (YMCA)
· Camp Mt. Laurel (YMCA)
· Camp WA-KLO
· Camp Woodstock (YMCA)
· Choate
· Creative Arts Workshop
· Dance Unlimited
· Eli Whitney Museum
· Foote School
· Girl Scouts
· Hamden Park & Rec
· High Rock
· Incarnation Camp
· Mantis Kung-Fu
· Neighborhood Music School
· North Haven Park & Rec
· Peabody Museum
· Schooner
· SJ Ranch
· South Shore YMCA
· Tennis Central
· The Basketball Factory
Admission is free and open to the public.
Questions? Email PTA Council, VP Mary.Clough@yale.edu
Come Check Out the
4th Annual PTA Council Summer Camp Fair
Saturday, April 4th, 2009
11:00 am until 2:00 pm
Hamden Middle School
2623 Dixwell AvenueHamden, CT 06518
One-stop shopping for camps and programs for kids in grades K - 12!
Learn about the many different sporting, enrichment, academic, fun and adventure options available in Hamden, Connecticut, New England and beyond.
Stop by to pick up information and speak with camp representatives.
Already on the list of attendees…
· Awosting & Chinqueka
· Camp Farwell
· Camp Kaizen
· Camp Mohawk (YMCA)
· Camp Mt. Laurel (YMCA)
· Camp WA-KLO
· Camp Woodstock (YMCA)
· Choate
· Creative Arts Workshop
· Dance Unlimited
· Eli Whitney Museum
· Foote School
· Girl Scouts
· Hamden Park & Rec
· High Rock
· Incarnation Camp
· Mantis Kung-Fu
· Neighborhood Music School
· North Haven Park & Rec
· Peabody Museum
· Schooner
· SJ Ranch
· South Shore YMCA
· Tennis Central
· The Basketball Factory
Admission is free and open to the public.
Questions? Email PTA Council, VP Mary.Clough@yale.edu
Monday, February 9, 2009
February Meeting Follow Up
Many thanks to Hamden Councilman Jim Pascarella for getting us acquainted with the true gravity of the town's financial situation. Without a miracle, the proposed 3.5% increase to the education budget (one of the lowest in the state) is going to have to be trimmed. (BTW - this number does not include any change in Wintergreen funding). It's inevitable without a gigantic ( 2-3 mill) tax increase, (which will never fly) because we have a shrinking grand list, lower revenues from slowed construction and home sales and a devistated pension fund, not to mention contractual, energy and healthcare increases.
His best advice: contact your state representatives and the Governor and ask them to not cut educational funding, special grants or PILOT reimbursements. We can probably hold the line on local spending, but not if our state funding for the school system or PILOT is reduced.
The fate of Wintergreen is still undecided. There are many options on the table and Supt. Rabinowitz is negotiating with all pertinent parties to find the best solution.
Our 4th Annual Summer Camp Fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 4. It's being organized by our VP Mary Clough and will be our largest to date. We'll be setting up in the Middle School Gym and Atrium. There will be at least 40 camps, day and overnight, for K-12. We'll need help to set up, manage and take down this event, so please let us know when you can pitch in.
Perhaps I'll see you around town at one of the following events this week:
Hamden Board of Ed Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 10, 7 PM
60 Putnam Street
Items of interest:
Superintendent’s Report on
1. Governor’s Budget
2. CMT/CAPT Assessment
3. Introduction of Interim Finance Director
************
"What's Brewing?" with State Representative Elizabeth Esty
Thursday, February 12
10am to noon, at the Giant View Café
3584 Whitney Ave., Hamden
(103rd District / Mt. Carmel / West Woods)
“What’s Brewing?” is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and concerns with Elizabeth, ask her questions and get help. Elizabeth is particularly eager to hear your ideas about how to close Connecticut's budget gap and restart our economy.
Contact: Rep. Elizabeth Esty, 103rd District
Room 4037, LOB, Hartford, CT 06106-1591
800-842-8267 -- Office (Toll Free)
203-699-9621 – Home
http://www.elizabethesty.com/.
elizabeth.esty@cga.ct.gov
**************************
CT PTA Hot Topics Training - Nuts & Bolts of Educational Funding
Thursday, February 12, 7 PM
With CT Appleseed at Hamden High School
Snacks & babysitting provided
Free and open to the public
Thanks for all you do,
Marjorie
His best advice: contact your state representatives and the Governor and ask them to not cut educational funding, special grants or PILOT reimbursements. We can probably hold the line on local spending, but not if our state funding for the school system or PILOT is reduced.
The fate of Wintergreen is still undecided. There are many options on the table and Supt. Rabinowitz is negotiating with all pertinent parties to find the best solution.
Our 4th Annual Summer Camp Fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 4. It's being organized by our VP Mary Clough and will be our largest to date. We'll be setting up in the Middle School Gym and Atrium. There will be at least 40 camps, day and overnight, for K-12. We'll need help to set up, manage and take down this event, so please let us know when you can pitch in.
Perhaps I'll see you around town at one of the following events this week:
Hamden Board of Ed Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 10, 7 PM
60 Putnam Street
Items of interest:
Superintendent’s Report on
1. Governor’s Budget
2. CMT/CAPT Assessment
3. Introduction of Interim Finance Director
************
"What's Brewing?" with State Representative Elizabeth Esty
Thursday, February 12
10am to noon, at the Giant View Café
3584 Whitney Ave., Hamden
(103rd District / Mt. Carmel / West Woods)
“What’s Brewing?” is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and concerns with Elizabeth, ask her questions and get help. Elizabeth is particularly eager to hear your ideas about how to close Connecticut's budget gap and restart our economy.
Contact: Rep. Elizabeth Esty, 103rd District
Room 4037, LOB, Hartford, CT 06106-1591
800-842-8267 -- Office (Toll Free)
203-699-9621 – Home
http://www.elizabethesty.com/.
elizabeth.esty@cga.ct.gov
**************************
CT PTA Hot Topics Training - Nuts & Bolts of Educational Funding
Thursday, February 12, 7 PM
With CT Appleseed at Hamden High School
Snacks & babysitting provided
Free and open to the public
Thanks for all you do,
Marjorie
Friday, February 6, 2009
Federal Education Funding Under Attack
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a call to arms.
I was alerted by Supt. Rabinowitz's office, via the National School Boards Association, to call or email Sen. Lieberman's legislative assitant, Rachel, ASAP regarding educational funding in the stimulus package legislation currently before the Senate.
ACTION ON THIS AMENDMENT MAY BE TAKEN TODAY!
I urge you to call his office at 202-224-4815 or to email Rachel_Sotsky@Lieberman.Senate.Gov and ask the Senator not to support any reduction to the House's stimulus bill on education funding. Please forward with abandon and ask people to personalize.
Here's what I wrote:
Dear Rachel,
I’d really like to understand how Sen. Lieberman can, in good conscience, support the Collins/Nelson amendment, which would drastically reduce funding for education in the economic recovery package. It would eliminate the $15 billion Performance Incentive
Grants from the State Stabilization Fund, an additional $24.8 billion from the State Stabilization Fund, $6.75 billion from IDEA, $6.5 billion from Title I, and $50 million from the Teacher Quality State Grant program.
Title I and IDEA do create jobs in schools, as well as prevent people from losing jobs.
• The impact to Hamden would be devastating, as the majority of our schools receive Title 1 and IDEA funding. His support for the amendment will take important funding away from key K-12 education programs. Now is the time for increased federal investment to ensure that our schools can maintain the level of services needed for student achievement. The State is trying to close a billion dollar shortfall and local revenues for education are in a serious decline because of the recession (e.g. falling property values and assessments, declining sales tax receipts, etc.). We are counting on the Federal government to help the nation’s educational system weather this storm.
• Cutting funding in the stimulus is not the answer, especially when many school systems are trying to mitigate thousands of teacher/personnel lay-offs. The stimulus legislation is key to both job creation and to job retention, especially for the nation's school districts.
• The investments to education programs in the stimulus are critical and will help school districts continue the level of services for key education programs and federal mandates, such as special education, that are already underfunded.
Please ask the Senator, on behalf of myself, my family, and all of the children, families and businesses in Hamden, to OPPOSE the Collins/Nelson Amendment.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Clark
And thank you for your attention and action.
A recap of our council meeting on 2/4/09 coming soon...
Marjorie
I was alerted by Supt. Rabinowitz's office, via the National School Boards Association, to call or email Sen. Lieberman's legislative assitant, Rachel, ASAP regarding educational funding in the stimulus package legislation currently before the Senate.
ACTION ON THIS AMENDMENT MAY BE TAKEN TODAY!
I urge you to call his office at 202-224-4815 or to email Rachel_Sotsky@Lieberman.Senate.Gov and ask the Senator not to support any reduction to the House's stimulus bill on education funding. Please forward with abandon and ask people to personalize.
Here's what I wrote:
Dear Rachel,
I’d really like to understand how Sen. Lieberman can, in good conscience, support the Collins/Nelson amendment, which would drastically reduce funding for education in the economic recovery package. It would eliminate the $15 billion Performance Incentive
Grants from the State Stabilization Fund, an additional $24.8 billion from the State Stabilization Fund, $6.75 billion from IDEA, $6.5 billion from Title I, and $50 million from the Teacher Quality State Grant program.
Title I and IDEA do create jobs in schools, as well as prevent people from losing jobs.
• The impact to Hamden would be devastating, as the majority of our schools receive Title 1 and IDEA funding. His support for the amendment will take important funding away from key K-12 education programs. Now is the time for increased federal investment to ensure that our schools can maintain the level of services needed for student achievement. The State is trying to close a billion dollar shortfall and local revenues for education are in a serious decline because of the recession (e.g. falling property values and assessments, declining sales tax receipts, etc.). We are counting on the Federal government to help the nation’s educational system weather this storm.
• Cutting funding in the stimulus is not the answer, especially when many school systems are trying to mitigate thousands of teacher/personnel lay-offs. The stimulus legislation is key to both job creation and to job retention, especially for the nation's school districts.
• The investments to education programs in the stimulus are critical and will help school districts continue the level of services for key education programs and federal mandates, such as special education, that are already underfunded.
Please ask the Senator, on behalf of myself, my family, and all of the children, families and businesses in Hamden, to OPPOSE the Collins/Nelson Amendment.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Clark
And thank you for your attention and action.
A recap of our council meeting on 2/4/09 coming soon...
Marjorie
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Forum with Hamden Legislators January 8, 2009 - Reminder
The format this year is going to be a bit different – more of a round table than a formal question and answer. Here are the main topics that we will be covering:
· ECS funding
· Wintergreen – enrollment, sustainability
· Moratorium on Mandates – and other cost cutting measures that don’t cost anything
· Regionalization / SmartGrowth
· Funding from the Fed / Fate of NCLB
· Tax Reform / Property Tax
We’re in quite a mess, on many levels, but there will be no finger pointing tonight. We already know that we all need to “give a little” to meet the state’s budget requirements.
The main question is, “what is the best course of action that does the least harm, while putting us in a stronger financial position?”. We have invited our legislators to share:
· what theyknow of the current situation in Hartford
· what we should prepare for
· what they are suggesting AND,
· most importantly, what we can do as a town and organization to help find a solution.
BTW – The meeting at Wintergreen (6 PM), which Sen. Looney is attending prior to our meeting, has gotten a lot of press today. I urge you to alert anyone who thinks that their meeting is our meeting (6:30 PM), that our meeting is just as important to attend.
I look forward to seeing you this evening.
Marjorie
· ECS funding
· Wintergreen – enrollment, sustainability
· Moratorium on Mandates – and other cost cutting measures that don’t cost anything
· Regionalization / SmartGrowth
· Funding from the Fed / Fate of NCLB
· Tax Reform / Property Tax
We’re in quite a mess, on many levels, but there will be no finger pointing tonight. We already know that we all need to “give a little” to meet the state’s budget requirements.
The main question is, “what is the best course of action that does the least harm, while putting us in a stronger financial position?”. We have invited our legislators to share:
· what theyknow of the current situation in Hartford
· what we should prepare for
· what they are suggesting AND,
· most importantly, what we can do as a town and organization to help find a solution.
BTW – The meeting at Wintergreen (6 PM), which Sen. Looney is attending prior to our meeting, has gotten a lot of press today. I urge you to alert anyone who thinks that their meeting is our meeting (6:30 PM), that our meeting is just as important to attend.
I look forward to seeing you this evening.
Marjorie
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Forum with Hamden Legislators January 8, 2009
On the first draft of our January 8 PTA Educational Forum announcement (below), one of the bullet points was "lower quality of schools and lower test scores." Supt. Rabinowitz commented that she didn't think that a diminished education budget would have any impact on her ability to maintain the quality of our schools and their test scores, so I took it out. I really hope she's right; if anybody can work that kind of magic, it's Fran.
Even with such a miracle worker, we need every able-bodied person in Hamden to insist that educational funding at the State level be maintained. We're not asking for more, just to maintain the status quo. If they want to cut 12% from ECS funding, cut it from what WE SHOULD GET not what we DO get.
Make sure your legislators and Governor Rell hear your opinions and suggestions on how to do that. Here's your opportunity:
Marjorie
Even with such a miracle worker, we need every able-bodied person in Hamden to insist that educational funding at the State level be maintained. We're not asking for more, just to maintain the status quo. If they want to cut 12% from ECS funding, cut it from what WE SHOULD GET not what we DO get.
Make sure your legislators and Governor Rell hear your opinions and suggestions on how to do that. Here's your opportunity:
Tell your legislators “NO! You can’t reduce
Hamden’s educational funding!”
at the Hamden PTA Council/Board of Ed Forum
with CT Legislators
Thursday, January 8, 6:30 PM
Hamden Middle School Cafeteria
Thursday, January 8, 6:30 PM
Hamden Middle School Cafeteria
Babysitting provided by Hamden High Cheerleaders
For Hamden, cuts in educational funding at the state level could mean:
- Fewer teachers and larger class sizes
- Wintergreen Magnet losing its charter and becoming a Hamden Public School
- Less funding for art, music and TAG programs
- Less electives and career programs
- Fewer offerings from Adult Education
- Higher property taxes
This could lead to:
- Resident flight to other towns
- Hamden High dropping out of top 35 high schools in the state
- Hamden no longer being #33 in Fortune’s top 100 towns to start and own a small business
“How can I stop this threat to my thriving town?
I’m just one person.”
You are ONE of MANY who will voice your opinion and solutions to our state legislators and the Governor. YOU elected them and they work for YOU.
Join us on Thursday, January 8th and/or…
Call or email your legislators.
· Sen. Martin Looney, 800-842-1420
Looney@senatedems.ct.gov
· Sen. Joe Crisco, 800-842-1420
Crisco@senatedems.ct.gov
· Rep. Brendan Sharkey, 800-842-8267 / 203-281-4647
Brendan.Sharkey@cga.ct.gov
· Rep. Peter Villano, 800-842-8267 / 203-562-5251
Peter.Villano@cga.ct.gov
· Rep. Cam Staples, 800-842-8267 / 203-773-9123
Cam9123@hotmail.com
· Rep. Elizabeth Esty, 800-842-8267 / 203-271-3248
ElizabethEsty08@gmail.com
Write letters to the editor of the Hamden Chronicle and New Haven Register.
· hamdenchronicle@ctcentral.com
· letters@nhregister.com
Review the budget and give Governor Rell feedback at www.ct.gov/governorrell.
Share this information with your friends and family and ask them to take action with you.Things always work out better when we work together
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, January 8, 6:30 at the Hamden Middle School.Marjorie
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