Hartford Public Schools Office of Family and Community Partnerships is proud to announce this year’s Community Partner of the Year, Unsung Hero, and the inaugural Family and Community Support Service Provider of the Year. The award winners were announced Tuesday night, April 23, 2024 at the 2nd Annual IMPACT Celebration, hosted by the Office of Family and Community Partnerships.
Hartford Performs was named the 2024 Community Partner of the Year. Hartford Performs serves students in schools like McDonough Middle School, Martin Luther King Jr Middle School, Parkville Community School, Renzulli Academy, Montessori at Annie Fisher, and Breakthrough Magnet School North to bring culture, dance, art, and theater into the classroom. Families and staff have praised the organization’s ability to collaborate with teachers to create exciting, engaging opportunities for students to express their creativity.
Hartford Communities That Care was named the 2024 Unsung Hero. This award recognizes an organization that steps up in times of need and goes above and beyond their scope of work. Hartford Communities That Care has been crucial in providing extra assistance to Hartford Public Schools families in times of crisis.
New this year, the Office of Family and Community Partnerships has named a Family and Community Support Service Provider (FCSSP) of the Year. The inaugural award was given to Moneish James-Baronette from Rawson School. Ms. James-Baronette has served HPS for nearly three years, and is committed to making sure families and children feel safe and supported and are able to access the resources they need. At Rawson, she encourages family connections, establishing a strong and involved Parent Teacher Organization, School Governance Council, Student Council and Parent Center. She also collaborates with community partners to provide services for families within the school and hosts family game nights, workshops, and more to build relationships with families.
At Hartford Public Schools, each school is staffed with an FCSSP, whose mission is to develop and strengthen the district’s relationship with children, families and community partners. FCSSPs also support the Community Schools framework by monitoring student attendance, conducting home visits, connecting families to internal and external resources, and cultivating family engagement. (Award winners pictured above)
“Hartford Public Schools is dedicated to providing the very best for our students and families, and we could not do that without the support from all of our partners and staff,” said Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez. “The IMPACT Celebration allows us to shine a light on the people and organizations who are making a real difference in our HPS community. Together, we are ensuring our students can engage in enriching opportunities and that our families can be connected to that learning.”
Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez shared a message
The 2nd Annual IMPACT Celebration, held at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center, celebrated the work of partners and staff members who are committed to Hartford Public Schools’ mission to provide all our students with the learning and support they need to succeed in school and in life. This year’s theme was “Working Together to Develop our Future Leaders.” The event was student-centered and student-led, and included performances and presentations by student leaders of all ages. Christina Jackson, a junior at Hartford Public High School, filled the room with energy as the emcee for the night. Nuchette Black-Burke, Chief of Family and Community Partnerships, gave the keynote address focused on the importance of mentorship and community support to develop our future leaders.
Student drummers from MD Fox School
Student Praise Dancers from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
Christina Jackson, a junior at Hartford Public High School, filled the room with energy as the emcee for the night