Classrooms were over 100 degrees. Crayons were melted, tables warped, magnets curled and fell off the boards, candies melted, floors buckled. Medical concerns when the temperature of the room was unbearable consisted of dizzy spells, headaches, blackouts, concentration issues, and difficulty breathing. Extreme temperatures caused mold to grow throughout the building, including in the HVAC…
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Governor Lamont declared civil preparedness and public health emergencies in Connecticut yesterday afternoon, in order for the state to take specific actions in response to the coronavirus. The declarations allow the governor to take broader measures to protect public health. There are currently school closures in six Connecticut towns. Wilcoxson Elementary School in Stratford, Nathan…
DetailsCEA is working closely with the State Department of Education and other education stakeholders on protocols for schools and teachers in response to the coronavirus pandemic. We agree with Governor Ned Lamont’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Connecticut and his recommendations to take precautions, including hand washing. As Benjamin Franklin so wisely…
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More than 50 Connecticut teachers, together with CEA leaders and staff, provided compelling testimony Monday in support of strengthening a bill that would integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into teachers’ professional development. In a public hearing that stretched into the evening, dozens of teachers submitted written and oral testimony before the legislature’s Education Committee concerning House…
DetailsTeachers urge legislators to pass HB 5431 to improve indoor air quality in Connecticut classrooms I have been working in an environment with serious mold problems, water intrusion, poor air quality, and HVAC and ventilation systems that were not properly cleaned and maintained. As a result of working in an unsafe environment, my health has…
DetailsCall on legislators to give children back their childhood, Support Safe and Compassionate Learning Environment Initiatives
Discuss CEA’s awareness campaign to encourage more students of color to enter the teaching profession Connecticut teachers participating in CEA’s new awareness campaign to encourage more young people of color to pursue teaching careers shared their stories with legislators at the State Capitol today. The teachers testified in favor of Raised Bill 390, An Act…
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Toxic stress in childhood can lead to all sorts of negative outcomes later in life. Abuse, neglect, witnessing violent events, prolonged hunger, and more can wreak havoc on children’s developing brains, putting them at an increased risk for many types of disease, as well as homelessness, addiction, and incarceration Teachers today are seeing more violent…
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“It’s unconscionable what we’re doing to these kids,” said a kindergarten teacher who described long days of math, reading, and writing instruction, with no opportunities for play. “I am voiceless,” confided a special educator whose 14 students include children with autism, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, and emotional and behavioral issues. “I had five PPTs this…
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The Education Committee has an important hearing scheduled for Monday, and we need you to share your stories! Monday’s public hearing will include testimony on legislation related to social and emotional learning in our schools in the form of HB 5378. While the Education Committee’s proposal contains important pieces, it is not enough. What is…
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