The trio from Greenwich’s House delegation – Hector Arzeno (D-151), Steve Meskers (D-150), and Rachel Khanna (D-149) visited Greenwich High School, where Ken Alcorn was overseeing an AVID tutorial session on Wednesday.
“The three of us represent Greenwich in the House of Representatives in Hartford,” Arzeno explained to the students. “We are here today because we are proud what of what we did for the Board of Education this session, and the reforms that were made and voted on that brought additional funding for the Greenwich Public School system in Greenwich.”
Arzeno said the work the AVID students were doing was valued by the House delegation and they were eager to learn more about the programs.
On Wednesday, State Rep Meskers said the House delegation advocated for the AVID program in particular with the goal of giving all students equal opportunities.
“We’re here to see the program – we care about you and are here to support you,” he said.
Ken Alcorn, GHS social studies teacher (in green) with AVID 11th grade students and State Rep Steve Meskers in blue. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) observes GHS 11th grade AVID students during a totorial session in Mr. Alcorn’s class. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ken Alcorn, GHS social studies teacher (in green) with AVID 11th grade students and State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150) in blue. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ken Alcorn’s 11th grade AVID students participated in a tutorial. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ken Alcorn, GHS social studies teacher (in green) with Rachel Khanna and Julie Faryniarz and Trish Rohr from the Greenwich Alliance for Education AVID SUCCESS program. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ken Alcorn’s 11th grade AVID students participated in a tutorial. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Alliance for Education director Julie Faryniarz, AVID teacher Ken Alcorn and Judy Nedell from the AVID SUCCESS program. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Visiting a Greenwich High School AVID tutorial were left to right, State Rep Steve Meskers (-150), State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151), State Rep Rachel Khanna (D-149) and Greenwich Alliance Director Julie Faryniarz. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ken Alcorn’s 11th grade AVID students participated in a tutorial. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ken Alcorn said some students from the National Honor Society help out during AVID tutorials. Sept 20, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Julie Faryniarz, director of the Greenwich Alliance for Education, explained that her non-profit received grant money from the State of CT Youth Services Program for the AVID SUCCESS initiative.
She said she was delighted when State Rep Arzeno reached out to say there was state money available for non-profits to support education.
“The Greenwich Alliance benefited from that, but it’s for you,” she told the students. “We went to camp Simmons the other day, and there are many other activities we’re funding because of the money Mr. Arzeno and other representatives were able to direct our way.”
AVID SUCCESS offers extensions to the AVID program taught in Greenwich Public Schools.
“We will use this funding for college visits, team building programs, jobs and professional tools including resume/interviewing/networking, and Good Money Habits – financial literacy,” Faryniarz said.
“We were so delighted when State Rep Arzeno contacted us about this grant opportunity to further assist our AVID first generation students” Faryniarz added.
Trish Rohr, AVID SUCCESS Program Director and Judy Nedell, AVID SUCCESS Program Assistant, both joined Faryniarz and the Greenwich House delegation to observe the AVID tutorial process in Ken Alcorn’s 11th grade AVID class.
Faryniarz also mentioned that the Alliance funds college scholarships for AVID students.
State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151), State Rep/Education Committee Chair Jeff Currey (D-11) and Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones. March 2, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Last March, Mr. Arzeno invited State Rep Jeffrey Currey (D-11) who is the Chair of the Education Committee in the state legislature to come to Western Middle School, to learn more about the successful AVID program there. popular and successful.
The AVID program helps prepare students for college, including minorities and students whose parents might not have attended college themselves.
Indeed, many AVID students are the first in their families to go to college.
In June, The Greenwich Alliance organized a reunion at the Teen Center for AVID graduates, that was well attended and included live music by the Kovac Brothers band.
See also:
The Party! Celebrating AVID and 10 Years of College Dreams Made Possible
Western Middle School Showcases AVID during Visit from CT House Education Committee Chair