Even before COVID-19, as many as 1 in 6 young children had a diagnosed mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. New findings suggest a doubling of rates of disorders such as anxiety and depression among children and adolescents during the pandemic. One reason is that children’s well-being is tightly connected to family and community conditions such as stress and financial worries.

Ben Bronz Academy/Foundation has announced the recent appointment of Dr. Gail Lanza as executive director and CEO.

This summer, the Center for Education Policy Analysis, Research, and Evaluation (CEPARE) at UConn’s Neag School of Education convened more than 50 principals, assistant principals, educators, and school district leaders from across the state of Connecticut to coach them on fostering social, emotional, and behavioral well-being and safe school environments.

The Regional School District 17 Board of Education appointed Jeffrey Wihbey as its next superintendent of schools this week. He an extensive background and a distinguished career in public education, most recently as superintendent of schools for Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, leading and advocating for more than 11,000 students throughout the state. He holds a sixth-year degree in educational leadership from the University of Connecticut, and superintendent certification from the University of Connecticut’s Executive Leadership Program.

After more than a year of restrictions and online schooling, educators and counselors are focusing on ways to assess the long-term social, emotional and mental impact of the pandemic on school children when they return to the classroom. Christopher Booker reports from Fairfield County, Connecticut as part of our ongoing series, “Roads to Recovery.”

Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry raised some eyebrows recently when he hired Bob Quinn as a senior consultant. Bob Quinn may not be a household name in Cleveland, but he has a long career in the NFL.Quinn was born and raised in Massachusetts and went to college at the University of Connecticut. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in political science and a Master’s Degree in sports management. Quinn worked within the New England Patriots organization from 2000-2015 in various scouting and personnel roles.

The Board of Education named the principal of a New Haven magnet school, Michael Crocco, as the new leader of Southington High School. Crocco received both his Connecticut Administrative Certification and Connecticut Superintendent Certification from the University of Connecticut Executive Leadership Program in 2017.

Cécile Sophie Pieper, who earned a master’s degree in educational psychology as a redshirt senior, will again play for Germany and try to win another Olympic medal to join the Bronze she earned in field hockey during the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.

hen elementary school students return for the upcoming school year those at John F. Kennedy and Clover Street elementary schools will be greeted by new principals. School officials have hired Jennifer Michno as principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School and Felicia Poskus as principal of Clover Street Elementary School. Both began their new roles on July 1.

In our continuing “Opportunity in Crisis” series, Washington Post opinions writer Jonathan Capehart speaks with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona about what policies can help students, teachers and families as schools reopen again this fall. In 2012, Miguel won the 2012 National Distinguished Principal Award for the State of Connecticut and the Outstanding Administrator Award from UConn’s Neag School of Education. Secretary Cardona then transitioned to lead the work of Performance and Evaluation in the district. He then assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, overseeing teaching, learning, and leadership alignment.