SEYMOUR — The following story is a press release from Seymour Public Schools:
On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Connecticut’s Commissioner of Education, Dr. Charlene Russell-Tucker, was greeted at the Seymour School District’s new Board of Education office by Dr. Susan Compton, Superintendent of Schools. Several Seymour Board of Education members, Mr. Elwood Exley, Jr., a State Board of Education member, the leadership team (administrators, district nurse, technology, food service, and facilities), and neighboring superintendents, Dr. Matt Conway from Derby and Dr. Robert Miller from Oxford.
Dr. Russell-Tucker thanked the district for their outstanding leadership and Dr. Compton for inviting her to experience the Seymour School District. In addition, Dr. Charlene Russell-Tucker acknowledged Dr. Matt Conway for his strong leadership as the President of the Connecticut Association of Public Schools Superintendents.
Dr. Charlene Russell-Tucker verbalized the importance of hearing everyone’s voice by stating: “It’s about partnerships, and our schools don’t do it alone — “our best in class collaboration”.
There are over 513,000 students that the state of CT is responsible for, and every one of their voices matter.” She talked about getting our students engaged in the work and hearing from our students. Dr. Charlene Russell Tucker emphasized, “By working together we make the best decisions”.
“There is no curriculum brilliant enough to compensate for a hungry stomach or a distracted mind.” It is so important that we are thinking about the whole student. She was so appreciative that Seymour embraces not only our students’ minds, but also all their needs.
Dr. Russell-Tucker said that she makes her decisions on what is best for students and what is best for those who are supporting our students.
During a tour of Seymour High School, Mr. Jim Freund, Principal and Mr. Paul Lucke, Assistant Principal, was very excited to share the high school with Commissioner Russell-Tucker visiting several classes and departments.
First, Commissioner Russell-Tucker visited a business class taught by Mr. Mike Catanese, where the commissioner interacted with students and gave them an opportunity to ask questions.
The tour continued with an opportunity to experience a performance from our Advanced Ensembles and Performing Arts students led by Mr. Joshua Swetts and Ms. Emily Esposito… The performing arts program caters to 30 – 40 students a year in which they play in mixed and changing groups generally focusing on modern music of choice.
Next, the tour consisted of visiting the Computer Aided Drafting and Design classes, and then moved through the Construction Systems labs. Students in these classes learn the basics of electrical, plumbing, roofing, flashing, siding, drywall and compound, window and door framing, framing, tile work and window and door installation.
After the drafting class, the tour moved outside to the manufacturing lab, visiting the manufacturing and welding equipment. The group then moved to the Electrathon racing car, which is created from scratch by students yearly, and participates in races twice a year at Lime Rock Park.
They also visited the MAC-lab where the Music Production students are composing music via keyboards. The Graphic Design and Photography classes also utilize this lab.
Lastly, the tour concluded with the Emergency Medical Technician class led by our certified science and EMT teacher, Danielle Johnson, and the ambulance that is utilized for training the EMT students. Seymour is one of the few high schools in Connecticut to offer EMT and one of three to have an ambulance on campus for training purposes.
Mr. Paul Lucke, Assistant Principal, is responsible for obtaining a number of grants for Seymour High School. Through the ESSER grant, Mr. Lucke, received the engineering computers for our district and a MAC-lab for our music production students… He received grants for the manufacturing lab, the Seymour High School ambulance, and for training EMT students
Dr. Charlene Russell-Tucker said that she was grateful for all that we are doing in Seymour and that she can feel the strong pride… “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat” became a motto that Dr. Charlene Russell-Tucker quickly understood and embraced.
In closing, Dr. Russell-Tucker offered her thanks and showed appreciation for everyone taking the time to be there for being there, for everything we do for our students and a special thank you to our Superintendent, Dr. Compton for her leadership.
