A Conversation with Connecticut's Education Commissioner - Conversations at Noon - Tuesday, August 11

View as PDF

For Immediate Release
July 27, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116

On Tuesday, August 11 at Connecticut’s Old State House, the Connecticut Network’s (CT-N) Diane Smith will sit down for a one-on-one interview with the state’s newly appointed Commissioner of Education, Dr. Dianna R. Wentzell.

After a 25 year career in education, comprised of 12 years in the classroom and a number of administrative positions - including Hartford Assistant Superintendent of Schools and Chief Academic Officer of the State Department of Education - Dr. Wentzell officially took over Connecticut’s top education post in April after briefly serving as Interim Commissioner. During her sit down with Smith, she will discuss her goals as Commissioner, the state’s new Social Studies Frameworks, using feedback from new student assessments, capacity building for teachers and leaders, the School Based Diversion Initiative and the efforts needed to help all of Connecticut’s students attain future success.

This installment of Conversations at Noon is free to the public and begins at noon. Visitors are encouraged to bring their lunch and join the conversation.

Located in historic downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The Old State House Shop, located on the Main Street side of the building, provides visitors an opportunity to purchase quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, products and apparel. The Old State House Farmers Market is currently open for the season and provides visitors the opportunity to shop for locally grown produce and Made-in-CT crafts on Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information on admission prices, upcoming events and parking discounts nearby, become a fan of Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or visit us online at http://www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

Exhibit Celebrates Connecticut Student Historians’ Achievements: Connecticut’s Old State House – Opens Saturday, July 18

View as PDF

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116

Hartford, CT – An exhibition featuring projects created by History Day in Connecticut student historians will open to the public on Saturday, July 18 with an opening reception taking place from 1 – 4 p.m. at Connecticut’s Old State House in downtown Hartford. History Day in Connecticut students will attend the reception and share their projects, many of which received special recognition at a Regional, State or National Contest.

At 2 p.m. a special showcase will take place as students who participated in the documentary and performance categories at the National History Day Contest will provide screenings and performances of their projects.

The History Day in Connecticut exhibition will be on display from Saturday, July 18 until early October 2015. Connecticut’s Old State House, which is currently operating on its Summer Schedule, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information about the exhibition and Connecticut’s Old State House can be found at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

Over 4,000 middle and high school students participate in History Day in Connecticut, one of 57 affiliate programs of National History Day (NHD), a renowned, year-long academic program. The road to National History Day begins in Connecticut’s classrooms and home schools where students choose topics reflecting the annual NHD theme, conduct research and create an project based on one of the five NHD categories – exhibit, performance, website, paper or documentary. Of these, over one thousand students competed in the 2015 Regional Contests, with 400 finalists moving on to the State Contest. The Connecticut State Contest, which took place May 9 at Central Connecticut State University, sent first and second place winners to the National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland in June.

History Day in Connecticut is made possible by a strong collaboration among many of Connecticut’s history organizations. Together they work with dedicated educators to help students develop critical thinking skills and a passion for learning and sharing history. A shared goal is to encourage a life-long interest in Connecticut’s rich stories, archives, historic buildings and museum collections. The collaboration is led by Connecticut’s Old State House, funded by Connecticut Humanities and supported by the Connecticut League of History Organizations, the Connecticut Historical Society, Central Connecticut State University and scores of historical societies and civic groups who provide special prizes at the state level.

Located in historic downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The Old State House Shop, located on the Main Street side of the building, provides visitors an opportunity to purchase quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, products and apparel. The Old State House Farmers Market is currently open for the season and provides visitors the opportunity to shop for locally grown produce and Made-in-CT crafts on Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information on admission prices, upcoming events and parking discounts nearby, become a fan of Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or visit us online at http://www.ctoldstatehouse.org.