“There are more immediate budget concerns on the front burner, because education and distance learning and planning for the next fiscal year are probably on the horizon,” Bob Villanova said. “The immediate push is making sure that educational opportunity and moving ahead are real to every student.”

With school closings, parents will have to continue to try to fill the void at home. For some, that seems nearly impossible. We speak with Jennie Weiner, a Somerville parent who recently wrote about these challenges for the New York Times.

“Sport teaches us unity when we see teammates striving together for a common goal. As a global community, our common goal now is to defeat the coronavirus by working together,” says Eli Wolf, an academic technician with the Neag School of Education.

“The move to online instruction brings hope that we can emerge on the other side of the unexpected
with not just good but with better options for enhancing students’ learning,” says Barry Sheckley, a retired faculty member and former department chair. “Online instruction may foster innovations that enhance all students’ post-pandemic achievement.”

“This is essential work for the country: It will help us understand whether technology-driven, evidence-based learning can reduce the harm of this awful pandemic,” says Devin Kearns, associate professor of special education at UConn’s Neag School of Education, and a research scientist for Haskins Labs.

“Schools everywhere have closed their doors, and many gifted students find themselves without rigorous work and the camaraderie of their peers,” says Jessica Stargardter, a gifted and talented teacher at Norwalk (Conn.) Public Schools. “It is up to us to continue to nurture the development of our brightest young minds with learning opportunities, and it is time to collaborate, especially given our social distance.”

“Thank you to those out there who are working diligently to help put an end to this pandemic. And thank you to those out there who are staying committed and putting forth effort to stay home,” says Neag School graduate student Montara Tomasetti. “You are making a bigger difference in this world than you may realize. You are appreciated, you are loved, and you are not alone in this.”

Meet the CAS 2020 Assistant Principals of the Year – Anjanette Belmonte, Henry James Memorial School; Garrett Dukette, Ashford School; and Todd Manuel, Trumbull High School! These award-winning administrators share strategies for relationship-building, empowering students, building positive school climate, and maintaining the critical balance between work and home. Don’t miss this dynamic conversation with these extraordinary educators!

“This is one more vivid example of how the playing field is not level,” said Richard Schwab, a professor in educational leadership at UConn’s Neag School of Education and the former dean of the school. “Zip code is determining your education, not only in schools but online and I don’t think this is going away.”

“These books are going directly home to kids,” said East Hartford Superintendent Nate Quesnel. “The thought process is that we’re trying to really push literacy and to help families to provide opportunities for rich text opportunities in their home.”