March 31, 2023Christopher Cusano, Exec Dir
CT Brain Tumor AllianceThe meeting will be held both in person and via Zoom.
Watch for an email from the Club for Zoom access and
please note we use a recurring ID for your convenience.
Sergeant-at-Arms Report -
Rotarians Present: 28 (including 4 on Zoom)
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: John Bishop, Asst Superintendent, Canton Public Schools (Speaker)
Happy Dollars: $24
Raffle Winner: Ann. Clark
Birthdays: None
Happy Dollars
Brian O'Donnell was in Washington DC and observed the irony of the beautiful cherry blossoms and all the security fencing and police..
Bob Cave flipped his 30th house in Avon this week. The new owners of Tap-It bought it. Bob compared his 30 flips to Hank Frey's 60 closings.
Bill Barnes noted that he chose a seat between Rollie Sterrett and Salin Low this morning, but when returned with coffee found that they had deserted him and Bob Cave had replaced them. Bill had received a copy of some funny signs from Hank Frey entitled, "Did I read that sign right?" Very funny but you needed to be present to appreciate them.
Gary Miller was happy to be back from a great trip to Arizona to spend time with friends and visit the Grand Canyon. He and Debbie had packed for 70° days and 40-50° nights. The temperatures at the Grand Canyon were in the 30's. Needless to say they had to bundle up in every bit of warm clothing they had.
Salin Low was happy about the UCONN men and women's success so far in the March Madness tournaments.
Rollie Sterrett lamented that his alma mater, Colgate, with only 3000 students didn't stand a chance against the University of Texas with 35,000 students.
Ann Clark was happy to report that her granddaughter, who is completing medical school, received an assignment close by at St Francis Hospital on Match Day.
Kevin Case was happy to be back with Rotary and to have Asst Superintendent John Bishop join him as our speaker today. President Chris Lamadrid noted that they would be back on June 2nd went we honor Canton High School scholarship winners.
Mike Sherber was happy that Princeton won in the second round against Missouri and were playing again tonight against Creighton (editors note: unfortunately Princeton lost 86-75).
Luke Violette reported that his mother recently had successful knee surgery at St Francis. He also has completed PETS and would be attending Post-PETS next Saturday.
Announcements
Tastes of the Valley
Tastes of the Valley tickets are $75.00 for the evening event.
In the past, many Rotarians attended the VIP Session, now called the Sponsor Session. This session is available to our sponsors and to Rotarians that would like to purchase a table of 4 tickets for $400.00. This option is designated as the Friends of Rotary Sponsorship and is available only to Rotarians and their guests to fill a table for 4. We encourage Rotarians to pair up with another Rotarian to purchase a table or for a member to purchase the sponsorship for him/herself and 3 quests.
Friday, March 24th, tickets will be distributed to the members in attendance at our Friday meeting to be held at Favarh.
We will distribute (2) tickets to each Rotarian. If you are unable to attend, please give the tickets to a friend or family member. In years past, there was an expectation that each Rotarian would sell or purchase (4) tickets. In lieu of the additional (2) tickets, we ask for your support by donating a basket to our auction, gift certificates or cash are happily excepted. We are also in need of spirit bottles. Bottles of wine or spirits valued at $20.00 or greater to support our "Bottle Bag" Pull. The money raised for both the auction and the bottle pull is 100% profit for our club.
Please contact a Tastes Committee member or Colleen Grasso if you have any questions.
Cherie Walton is still looking for money or ideas for raffle baskets!
Let's work together to make this event great!!!
Calendar
May 6, 2023 - Tastes of the Valley at Golf Club of Avon
June 9, 2023 - President's Dinner
July 18, 2023 - Seniors Luncheon
September 11, 2023 - Annual Charity Golf Tournament
October 19, 2023 - Club's 50th Anniversary Dinner
Induction of New Members
None this week.
Awards
None this week
Community and International Service Grants
None this week
Community Partnerships
John Bishop, Asst Superintendent Canton Public Schools
Dick Kisiel introduced our speaker John Bishop who has been teaching and leading in the educational world over the past 22 years. He has taught every grade level from preschool to grade 12. He has served in Canton for over 8 years. He previously served as the STEM Coordinator working across the K-12 program in support of science, math, technology and innovation. In the summer of 2020, John was named the Director of Learning and Innovation in Canton. This past December, John was promoted to Assistant Superintendent. John is a resident of Canton with his wife and two children.
John started by introducing the Vision and Mission of the Canton Public Schools:
Our Vision: Opening Minds - Transforming Lives. As a leader among schools and a source of pride in our community, Canton Public Schools enrich the present and shape the future of its students by opening minds and transforming lives.
Our mission is to prepare independent, productive, respectful and responsible citizens who contribute to an ever changing world. We pursue continuous improvement while honoring our strong educational legacy and traditions. We unite with families and the community to provide challenging educational experiences that promote the intellectual, physical, social and emotional potential of our students.
John said that a commitment from the Rotary of Avon-Canton meant a lot to school staff and students. Three factors would be prevalent in our relationship: Time, Focus, and Energy. Time is always a problem but especially for teachers and other staff who are all feeling very tapped out due to the aftermath of the COVID pandemic and the many tasks placed upon teachers. These additional burdens make focusing on new programs difficult. Our support would help leverage the energy needed to move forward.
The idea of an outdoor classroom at each of the three schools has been a dream which Rotary could play a key role. The initial step would be to create one at the Canton High School. During COVID teachers tried to get students outside as much as possible. Having a permanent classroom would be ideal.
Goal: Working with the Canton Public School system including staff and students, the town of Canton and local and state organizations to create a safe, community-based outside environmental educational facility at CHS/CMS utilizing the unique campus resources of Mills Pond and its surroundings. The research, planning and design of the project will promote the conduction of interdisciplinary studies, foster environmental appreciation and awareness at a local and global scale, and provide a positive recreational and learning area for students and the surrounding community.
General vision includes:
Observation space
Seating and working and space to be sufficient for one class
Benches and tables suitable for classwork and recreational purpose
Creating various stations with infographics signage around Mills Pond
Future planning to be mirrored in environmental learning and outdoor classroom space at other Canton Public Schools
John showed a overhead view of the property to the east of CHS which includes Mills Pond and the woods to the north. Some of this area has been in use already, but an enclosed structure large enough to house adequate classroom space would formalize the program. An existing trail through the woods could be enhanced and become an interpretive trail for environmental study and other uses. Two Canton teachers are already leading the way and more will follow. John hopes that would every happens at CHS could be scaled for the Canton Intermediate and Cherry Brook Primary Schools. The Canton Education Foundation has already provided a grant to move forward.
Additional partnerships with the schools could include Lunch and Learning, Recess Engagement, Reading Buddies and After-School Support. Salin Low mentioned that we had a strong tutoring program with the Hartford Schools prior to COVID. Putting that in place in Canton would require a teacher to coordinate. John promised that staff would work with us to create an actionable plan. Bob Cave applauded the outdoor classroom idea and mentioned that would could coordinate with other groups in the area to plan site development and perform construction.
Dick Kisiel told John that we would identify club members to act as liaisons with the town and schools in Canton and Avon. John said he would facilitate a connection and bring a plan back to us. President-Elect Luke Violette asked John about summer programs that we could support. John was thrilled to hear that idea. Brian O'Donnell asked if the Roaring Brook Nature Center was being considered as part of the outdoor education program. John said the schools have a good relationship with RBNC.
Club members have signed up to work at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Bloomfield from 9:00 to 1:00 on Saturday.
Mail Bag
None this week.
Photo Credits
Mike Mezheritskiy
Technology Credits
Zoom platform management expertise by Mike Mezheritskiy.
Editor's Notes
Submission Deadline: Members are kindly encouraged to submit all materials for each week's Early Riser as early as possible. Please note that some editions may be published and distributed as early as the Saturday following our meetings, and during those weeks further contributions to the Early Riser will be included in the subsequent week's edition.
“The FOUR-WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do”:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
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