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(Hartford, Conn.) Marissa Guzzo, a graduating senior at CREC Greater Hartford Academy of Mathematics and Science, Windsor, and Suffield High School, is one of more than 4,500 candidates in the 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2018. Marissa is the daughter of Paul and Kim Guzzo, Suffield.A distinguished panel of educators will review the submissions and select 600 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens whom the President appoints, will choose the finalists. The U.S. Department of Education will then announce the Presidential Scholars in May. The scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C. for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a White House-sponsored ceremony. They will also participate in events and enrichment activities through the National Recognition Program.The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth.###The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the region. CREC brings nearly five decades of experience in education, regional collaboration, and operations to provide innovative strategies and products that address the changing needs of school districts and their students, corporations, non-profits, and individual professions. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than 150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 16 interdistrict magnet schools. More information about CREC and CREC’s award-winning schools is available at www.crec.org....

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(Hartford, Conn.) PSA Civic Leadership High School (PSA-CLHS) students are excited to be the recipients of a recently donated fire truck from the town of South Windsor and the South Windsor Fire Department. Now they’ll have access to hands-on experience in many aspects of fire service training that the Enfield school offers, such as pump operations, calculation of pump pressures and friction loss, fire suppression operations, and fire behavior. The ability to teach these skills will help to make the school’s theme classes, which include Fire Science, Chemistry, Intro to Fire and EMS, and Forensics more authentic. Fire Chief Kevin Cooney, a 35-year veteran of the South Windsor Fire Department, sees the donation as an excellent way to interest students in careers in fire service. “Donating the truck keeps it useful. Young adults can learn from it and perhaps join the fire service,” he said. Cooney said the idea to donate the older truck to PSA-CLHS was a combination of factors. Several of the town’s firefighters are graduates and two of the school’s students are part of the department’s explorer program. With the town’s support, donating the truck seemed like a natural extension of the department’s longstanding relationship with the school.According to Principal Jeff Larson, “I’m excited for the students and forever grateful to the town of South Windsor and the South Windsor Fire Department for the donation,” he said. “This is another example of ways that our school theme is brought to life in the classroom for our students.” He said having the truck makes it possible for the school to add more theme courses in the future. It may also be used to recruit students. Joe Jarvis, a PSA-CLHS fire science instructor and retired firefighter, agrees. “To have a working fire truck at the school is a way to inspire students,” he said. “Fire service is a great career. Now I get to train the next generation of firefighters. Having the truck here can change lives.”###The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the region. CREC brings nearly five decades of experience in education, regional collaboration, and operations to provide innovative strategies and products that address the changing needs of school districts and their students, corporations, non-profits, and individual professions. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than 150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 16 interdistrict magnet schools. More information about CREC and CREC’s award-winning schools is available at www.crec.org....

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Thanks to Goya Foods, Inc. and its Goya Gives campaign, displaced families served by Hartford’s the Centro de Ayuda Para Nuestros Amigos Caribeños (Relief Center for our Caribbean Friends) had a reason to celebrate the new year. In late December, Goya donated 2,000 pounds of food to the center’s food pantry. "We couldn’t think of a better way to show our support of the Hartford community than by donating 2,000 pounds of food to the Capitol Region Education Council,” said Rafael Toro, director of public relations of Goya Foods. “We want to welcome many of the families arriving to Hartford, who have been displaced from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands with hope and a warm meal.” The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) manages the relief center, which opened on Nov. 1. It has already served more than 1,300 people who have relocated to the Hartford region from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean islands as the result of last fall’s hurricanes. “Arriving families are turning to the relief center in increasing numbers for access to food and clothing, social services, jobs and job search assistance, transportation, and educational resources,” said Greg J. Florio, CREC’s executive director.“There is no charge for these services, which are all on-site.” The Latino Endowment Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving was instrumental in securing the generous donation from Goya Foods. "I am honored to have facilitated this donation to CREC, as the timing of its arrival is essential,” said Moraima Gutierrez, Steering Committee Chair, Latino Endowment Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. “Our Puerto Rican and other Caribbean island friends need our support locally. These GOYA products represent nutrition, comfort, and familiarity to our folks. We are most grateful to have established these contacts at a national level and to have leveraged them with our local philanthropic efforts." Volunteers from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Latino Endowment Fund’s Giving Circle and CREC staff were on hand to unload the truck, which Luna Relocation LLC in East Hartford donated.About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; Goya’s combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation make Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com###The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the region. CREC brings nearly five decades of experience in education, regional collaboration, and operations to provide innovative strategies and products that address the changing needs of school districts and their students, corporations, non-profits, and individual professions. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than 150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 16 interdistrict magnet schools. More information about CREC and CREC’s award-winning schools is available at www.crec.org....

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(Hartford, Conn.) More than 100 partygoers braved the record cold on Jan. 6 to celebrate “Three Kings Day” at the Centro de Ayuda Para Nuestros Amigos Caribeños (Relief Center for our Caribbean Friends) at 15 Van Dyke Ave., Hartford. Cultura Mosaica, Inc. and DJ Jason Nieves provided the dance music and hungry guests enjoyed a holiday feast served by volunteers from the Department of Correction. Best of all, were the presents the kids received, which Southern Connecticut State University students wrapped. The free, all-volunteer event was coordinated by the Capitol Region Education Council, which manages the relief center. Since it opened on Nov. 1, it has provided free services to more than 1,300 people who have relocated to the Hartford region from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean islands as the result of last fall’s hurricanes. ###The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the region. CREC brings nearly five decades of experience in education, regional collaboration, and operations to provide innovative strategies and products that address the changing needs of school districts and their students, corporations, non-profits, and individual professions. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than 150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 16 interdistrict magnet schools. More information about CREC and CREC’s award-winning schools is available at www.crec.org....

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Heather Sutkowski, a computer science teacher at CREC Montessori Magnet School, Hartford, was selected from a pool of 1,000 nominees to receive the "Making an Impact in Computer Science" award in the “Teacher” category from the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and code.org. She received her award during 2017 Computer Science Education Week, which was held in Palo Alto, California in December. This was the first time awards recognized “Champions for Computer Science” in the computer science education community. Sutkowski was one of four winners in her category.From developing a wristband and app to help parents monitor their young children, to serving as a hub to expand computer science to rural communities statewide, the winners represented the students, teachers, schools, districts, and organizations on the forefront of the national computer science education movement. Interim Executive Director of the CSTA Deborah Seehorn said, “The selection committee had a difficult time choosing the winners from so many exemplary entries. These are people who are truly broadening participation in computer science, advocating for computer science, innovating, and making an impact in their community.” ###The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the region. CREC brings nearly five decades of experience in education, regional collaboration, and operations to provide innovative strategies and products that address the changing needs of school districts and their students, corporations, non-profits, and individual professions. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than 150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 16 interdistrict magnet schools. More information about CREC and CREC’s award-winning schools is available at www.crec.org....

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(WASHINGTON, DC) On Dec. 7, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that a team of students who reside in Suffield have won the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for the Second Congressional District of Connecticut. The students are seniors Marissa Guzzo and Alexandra Smith, and sophomore Gianna Guzzo from the CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering in Windsor. Their app, titled Feel Good, is designed to help people struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress find some relief through music, games, and other means. The National Congressional App Challenge is designed to inspire high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The competition is also intended to demonstrate the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and encourage students to enter these career fields. This week (December 4-8) has been designated as Computer Science Education Week. “I am pleased to announce that the winners of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for Connecticut’s Second Congressional District are Gianna Guzzo, Marissa Guzzo, and Alexandra Smith from Suffield,” said Courtney. “We had a number of exceptional submissions to the Second Congressional District App Challenge this year, but our team hailing from Suffield stood out. Our panel of judges from the University of Connecticut were convinced that the winning app showed both an advanced understanding of computer programming and a determination to improve the lives of people suffering with various mental health conditions. I applaud all three of the winning students, and all of the students who participated in the competition this year for their time and dedication in creating these incredible programs. “The National Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage high school students in computer science and teach them how to code by creating their own applications. We need to demonstrate the value of computer science and STEM education generally in order to encourage more young people to enter these fields.” The 2017 Congressional App Challenge was open to all U.S. high school students in participating congressional districts and one winner was selected per district. Challenge participants were invited, either as individuals or as teams of up to four students, to create and submit their own software application, or ‘app’ for mobile, tablet, or other computing devices on a platform of their choice. In the Second Congressional District, the submissions were judged by faculty members from the University of Connecticut.For more information, contact Tim Brown, communications director, Office of Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), at (202) 225-2076 or Tim.Brown2@mail.house.gov. ###The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the region. CREC brings nearly five decades of experience in education, regional collaboration, and operations to provide innovative strategies and products that address the changing needs of school districts and their students, corporations, non-profits, and individual professions. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than 150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 16 interdistrict magnet schools. More information about CREC and CREC’s award-winning schools is available at www.crec.org....

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(Enfield, CT) The CREC Public Safety Academy (PSA) has been renamed PSA Civic Leadership High School. It remains an interdistrict magnet school operated by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC). CREC made this change to ensure the school’s name accurately reflects its theme. Beginning this year, the school is strengthening its focus on civic engagement, public service, and leadership. The school offers coursework and hands-on, community-based experiences for students in these areas, along with new opportunities for students to earn college credit while in high school. The revisions to the school’s theme are funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet School Assistance Program. CREC and Enfield Public Schools were awarded nearly fifteen million dollars over five years to support enhancements in four Hartford region magnet programs. “This grant provides an exciting opportunity for our school,” said Jeff Larson, principal of PSA Civic Leadership High School. “With the additional resources provided by the grant, we will be able to provide our students an education like no other, with opportunities that no other school can offer. Upon graduation from the PSA Civic Leadership High School, students will have built a résumé that will include certifications, college credit, and over fifty hours of service learning, which will make them stand out to colleges, employers, and in their communities.” Superintendent of CREC Schools Tim Sullivan said, “Under Mr. Larson’s leadership, PSA Civic Leadership High School plays an important role in the greater Hartford region. They are empowering young people to see themselves as agents of change, making a difference in the local community and beyond.”  PSA Civic Leadership High School is one of 16 CREC magnet schools and educates students in grades 9 through 12 in a state-of-the-art facility on King Street in Enfield. It remains committed to graduating students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in college and the workplace.  Students who wish to attend PSA Civic Leadership High School must apply to the school through the Greater Hartford Regional School Choice Office lottery, which is accepting applications through February 28, 2018. For more information about the school and a link to the lottery application, visit www.choosepsa.org.###The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the region. CREC brings nearly five decades of experience in education, regional collaboration, and operations to provide innovative strategies and products that address the changings needs of school districts and their students, corporations, non-profits, and individual professions. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than 150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 16 interdistrict magnet schools. More information about CREC and CREC’s award-winning schools is available at www.crec.org....

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