School Redistricting Study:URGENT!!

Over the past few months, the Middletown Board of Education has been working with an architecture firm, JCJ, to figure out a short-term solution to overcrowding at Moody School and a long-term solution to redraw the lines for the entire district. On Tuesday night, JCJ recommended that the Board of Ed take no action for the upcoming year, as it would cause too much disruption for just one year, when a broader solution is on the horizon.

Over the last few days since the meeting, I've been speaking to NEAT members and recieved many requests for a letter that people could use as a template to voice their opinion to the Board of Ed. So, I've included a draft email below. You can copy and paste it into an email from your personal account and send it to:

Frechette, Michael , Senges, Barbara , John Hennelly , boskes@mps1.org, boydb@mps1.org, Daniels, Sheila , gillc@mps1.org, Renee Johnson-Thornton , Keiser, Jay , VoteRyan06@yahoo.com, tedvr@cttel.net, russoj@mps1.org, neat@neatmiddletown.org



The Letter is below. I encourage you all to take the few minutes and send this email. It is important that the board understand how many people are concerned about this issue. If they only recieve two letters, it will send the wrong message that North End residents don't care. We do care, you've told me that you care, now tell the Board of Ed.



I am available to answer any questions by phone (860-346-4845) or by email (izzi.greenberg@neatmiddletown.org). Please feel free to call if you want more information or clarification.



Thank You for taking the time on this. It's really important. The board will be meeting on Tuesday to make a decision at 7:00 pm at the High School Cafeteria. NEAT will be carpooling and childcare will be available by request.

Izzi

ps. you can read more about this issue at the following links:

http://middletownpress.com/articles/2009/05/28/news/doc4a1e06672905e294445110.txt
http://middletownpress.com/articles/2009/05/26/news/doc4a1cac254a317454258759.txt
http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2009/05/board-of-education-unhappy-with.html
http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2009/05/board-of-ed-delays-decision-on-leveling.html



Dr. Frechette, and Members of the Board:

As a member of the North End Action Team (NEAT), I support the recommendation made by JCJ at this past Tuesday's Board of Education meeting. Although many North End kids attend Moody school and are affected by overcrowding, it is in the best interest of the entire city to wait until JCJ's full report is complete to make any changes.

Over the last few months, you asked for citizen participation in this process. We participated. We came out to your workshops in great numbers, and at great inconvenience, because our schools and our children are important. Our voice informed JCJ's recommendation that you work toward a long-term solution and avoid a short-term band-aid. Should you ignore JCJ's advice and act on an unrecommended plan, you would also be ignoring us -- your constituents. That move would send a clear message to residents and taxpayers that our participation, input, and time isn't important.

That said, Chairman Raczka has said in the Middletown Press that doing nothing is not an option, and that moving students around is. We don’t think that's a solution.

Moving any student to another school affects not only the child, but his or her family, school, and neighborhood. Such significant disruption should only occur based upon a comprehensive look at the entire city. Since you are considering a long-term redistricting next year that would again move students, it would be irresponsible and inconsiderate of you to put students in the position of having to change schools twice in two years.

NEAT members have said all along that what is important is that:

1) No child should have to move twice and whatever solution is agreed upon for the upcoming school year disrupt as few kids as possible.

2) You can't solve a problem at one school by creating a problem at another. Macdonough should not become overcrowded so Moody doesn't have to be; it would be unfair to take North End families out of one overcrowded school and place them into another.

3) The North End is a neighborhood. To the extent possible, its children should learn together in the same schools and should not be spread out among many.

You should listen to the consultants you have paid to advise you. Please keep our concerns -- and our children -- in mind.

Thank You,


Name___________________


Address_________________

Housing and Mortgage Education Seminar

You Are Invited to Join
Congressman Chris Murphy in New Britain
for a Housing and Mortgage Education Seminar

Housing and Mortgage Education Seminar
Saturday, May 30
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
New Britain City Hall, Room 504
27 West Main Street, New Britain

As home foreclosures are on the rise, Congressman Murphy’s housing and mortgage education event is aimed to help Connecticut residents learn how to go about getting a mortgage they can afford and how to get help if they are having trouble paying their mortgage.

Murphy has invited experts from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, New Britain Neighborhood Housing Services, Fannie Mae and McCue Mortgage.

If you have any questions, please call the Congressman’s
New Britain office at (860) 223-8412
or his Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-4476

Reclaiming the North End of Harbor Park, Sat. May 30, 8 a.m.

Learn about invasive plants while we remove them from a prime Middletown location. The Jonah Center calls for volunteers to help with this unique partnership opportunity that is closely related to our own mission.

Lunch and BBQ included. To make sure we have enough food, it is important that we know who is coming by Tuesday the 26th. Please reply to Lisa Santangelo at enws@comcast.net

Below are the background and details.

The Lions Club and crews from The Connection's AIC (Judicial Branch Community Service Work Crews) will be cleaning up the historic north end of Harbor Park. Japanese knot weed, Japanese sumac, bittersweet and other invasive plants have taken over the fencing and shoulder of the northern most 600 feet of the park. This screening from public view has attracted activities inconsistent with the stated "Waterfront Mission" which includes "A waterfront that serves as a focal point of community activities for people of all ages and interests throughout the year." and "Increased public awareness of the region's River-related culture and history." This area was once the landing for the ferry-boat that commerce between Middletown and Portland and the steamboat that took residents to Hartford and New York City.

Volunteers should wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves and gloves. Note that there is poison ivy in the area, so people who are highly allergic should not participate in this work day. Sun screen and sun glasses are recommended, as well as alcohol-containing hand gel to remove any plant oils we may contact.

Since we will be cutting, trimming and raking, volunteers are asked to bring clippers (short and long handled), small saws (hand, bow or sling) and rakes. (Make sure to mark your tools.) We will have coffee and donuts at 8:00, then do a sweep of the litter before the crews arrive with the heavy tools between 8:15 and 8:30. A box lunch will be served at 12:00. We will finish the day with a BBQ around 3:30 or 4.

Friday Night Hoops

Last night, about 200 kids, parents, community members and teachers came out to Donovan Park for the first North End Nights Basketball Tournament, hosted by Macdonough School and the North End Action Team. The games were serious but friendly, the hot dogs were cooked to perfection, thanks to the grilling skills of Deputy Police Chief, Pat McMahon and the expertise of Elsie Arnold and Laura Hall, and everyone had a great time. It was a perfect night. In fact, it was such a success, that we've decided to run these once a month throughout the summer. Mark your calendar for the third Friday in June. 6:00 pm.

Thanks to the Park and Rec department for supplying the hoops, the city for supplying the grill and Macdonough for the support. And, especially to all of the great kids and families who came out to enjoy one of the nicest evenings of the year so far. Here is a slideshow of pictures for you to enjoy.

GREEN FEST SUNDAY

There is a wonderful FREE event happening at Middlesex Community College this Sunday, May 17. The Middlesex County Libraries are presenting a GREENFEST from 1 pm to 4 pm as part of the "Greening Our Valley" initiative.The Festival is sponsored by the Connecticut Library Consortium and the Middlesex County Community Foundation. There will be preformances and vendors and a presentation by NEAT community gardner, Patrice Barret.

There will be all kinds of activities, giveaways, and discussions on green living, and the Artfarm Circus for a Fragile Planet goes on at 3 pm. Check out www.greeningourvalley.org for more info! Hope to see you there. All ages are welcome!

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AND BLOCK PARTY AT DONOVAN PARK: TONIGHT!

Tonight, Friday, May 15th, we will be hosting a very fun, very informal basketball tournament at the park. This isn't about impressing people with your skill, it's about having fun with your neighbors. So, bring a friend, a kid, a spouse.

Walk on down to the park. Play some b-ball. Eat a hot dog, we'll be cooking out. Bring a blanket and just lie out in the grass. This is a time for fun.

Over the last few years, NEAT has become involved in issues around Donovan Park (click here for directions). Something that has come up over and over again is that people just need to USE the park more. So here's your chance. If you want to sign up, though, email neat (neat@neatmiddletown.org) or call 346-4845.

We'll take any single person and put you on a team, or you could sign up as a team of three. Any age, size, gender-- anyone. C'mon North Enders (and everyone else!), we need to start enjoying this amazing space in the middle of our neighborhood!

Snap, Crackle, Pop!!

Snap, Crackle, Pop! is a percussive dance collaboration featuring students from the Green Street Arts Center after school program and Wesleyan University. Performance includes tap, step, breakdancing, Appalachian clog, and sword dancing. The show is Monday, May 11 at 7pm in Wesleyan's Crowell Concert Hall. Admission is free and there will be no tickets, so make sure to get there early to guarantee your seat! Contact Alex at 615-289-1057 or ahartley@wesleyan.edu with questions.

Lots of North End kids doing great things, come out and support them!

Basketball Tournament Postponed

Friday night's basketball tournament at Donovan Park will be postponed until next Friday, May 15th because of safety concerns.
Please come next week!
If you'd like to sign up to play, email NEAT at neat@neatmiddletown.org.
6:00-7:30 pm.

NEAT AND MACDONOUGH HOST BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AND FAMILY NIGHT AT DONOVAN PARK

On Friday evening, May 15th, NEAT will be hosting a very fun, very informal basketball tournament at Donovan Park. This isn't about impressing people with your skill, it's about having fun with your neighbors. So, bring a friend, a kid, a spouse. Walk on down to the park. Play some b-ball. Eat a hot dog, we'll be cooking out. Bring a blanket and just lie out in the grass. This is a time for springtime fun.

Over the last few years, NEAT has become involved in sprucing up Donovan Park (the park next to Macdonough School). Something that has come up over and over again is that people just need to USE the park more. So here's your chance.

If you want to sign up, email NEAT (neat@neatmiddletown.org) or call 346-4845. We'll take any single person and put you on a team, or you could sign up as a team of three. Any age, size, gender-- anyone.

Or just come down and enjoy the evening.

C'mon North Enders (and everyone else!), we need to start enjoying this amazing space in the middle of our neighborhood!