December 4, 2012

REP. ROJAS LAUDS INITIATIVE TO INCREASE
LEARNING TIME AT O’CONNELL ELEMENTARY

State Rep. Jason Rojas praised a new collaborative effort Tuesday that will expand and redesign the school calendar for Thomas S. O’Connell Elementary School in East Hartford in an effort to improve learning for students.

“This is an exciting time for education in East Hartford. We are all aware of the challenges we face in making sure our kids are being prepared for a successful life and career,” Rojas, a member of the legislature's Education Committee, said.

“Governor Malloy, Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor and our state delegation have ensured that East Hartford receives the resources we need to provide our children the best education that our teachers work so hard to provide. I have spent the last four years focusing on educational issues and I am proud to see the results of those efforts benefitting our kids, our families and schools,” Rojas said.

Rojas joined Governor Dannel P. Malloy and school administrators and teachers Tuesday to discuss the collaborative effort announced Monday.

“Superintendent Nathan Quesnel, Board of Education Chairman Jeffrey Currey and the board have provided fantastic leadership and I look forward to working with them to effectuate the improvements that need to happen to lift our district to new heights,” said Rojas. “Our school system is the foundation of our community and as we strengthen it we strengthen our entire community.”

Connecticut is one of five states selected to participate in a collaborative effort by state leaders, the Ford Foundation, and the National Center on Time & Learning (NCTL) to develop high-quality and sustainable expanded-time schools. The five selected states will use a mix of federal and state funding to cover the cost of adding 300 hours of instruction and enrichment to the school year in select schools.