SHEFF MOVEMENT ORGANIZING TEAM Lourdes Fonseca Lourdes Fonseca was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She has lived in Connecticut for the 29 years she has been in the U.S. Her passions are community organizing, education and social justice issues. Lourdes has worked in this field over the years in the following organizations: Hartford Areas Rally Together, Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now, Achieve Hartford, Building Hartford Through Community Actions (BHCA), Center for Children's Advocacy, and currently the Center for Latino Progress and Sheff Movement Coalition. She is an active volunteer in her community, and she loves working with youth because they are our future! Sasha Davis Born and raised in Connecticut, Sasha received her Master of Public Administration and a graduate certificate in Leadership and Public Management from the University of Connecticut. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Bay Path College and an Associate of Arts from Capital Community College. She and her family reside in Berlin, Connecticut. In addition to her work with the Sheff Movement Coalition, Sasha is also currently a Policy Analyst at the School and State Finance Project. With a background in community organizing, program management, and education policy, Sasha brings a unique perspective and invaluable experience to all of her work. Sian Charles-Harris A former middle and high school humanities teacher, Sian now teaches English education courses focused on literacy pedagogy, human rights education, equity in literary practices and field experiences grounded in community advocacy to teacher candidates working toward initial teaching certification. Born and raised in Trinidad, Sian has taught and coached in city, suburban, public and independent schools in New York and Connecticut. Sian received her bachelor’s degree in English from St. Francis College, Brooklyn and her master’s in Secondary English Education from City College of New York. She is completing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education. Read more about Sheff Movement SBATs and CBATs here

The Hartford Region Open Choice Program (Open Choice) This is a presentation dedicated to help educate people on what the Open Choice program is and how it can benefit the Hartford education system.

Jobs No openings at this moment. If you are interested in future openings, you may send a resume and cover letter to sheffmovementcoalition@gmail.com .

Pre-K programs in the Greater Hartford region (Mira Debs); Communications Committee updates; school choice lottery updates. < Back May 2015 Meeting Who: Speaker: Mira Debs, Yale University What: Pre-K programs in the Greater Hartford region (Mira Debs); Communications Committee updates; school choice lottery updates. Where: SMC Offices - 75 Charter Oak Ave. 06106 When: May 16, 2015 at 2:00:00 PM Our May agenda includes a presentation and discussion by Mira Debs of Yale University, who authored the recent Sheff Movement policy brief on Pre-K programs in the Greater Hartford region. We’ll receive updates from our Communications Committee and hear about the school choice lottery. Previous Next

We’ll discuss the state’s education budget and the Sheff Comprehensive Management Plan. < Back December 2008 Meeting Who: Led by SMC Staff/Leadership What: We’ll discuss the state’s education budget and the Sheff Comprehensive Management Plan. Where: When: December 20, 2008 at 2:30:00 PM We’ll discuss the state’s education budget and the Sheff Comprehensive Management Plan. Please email your RSVP or other agenda ideas to ldd001@gmail.com . Previous Next

The Work Continues, CT Department of Education Presentation on the Sheff Choice Schools Dashboard. < Back April 2022 Meeting Who: Speakers: Keith M. Norton, Ajit Gopalakrishnan What: The Work Continues, CT Department of Education Presentation on the Sheff Choice Schools Dashboard. Where: Virtual: Via Zoom When: April 23, 2022 at 2:00:00 PM Meeting Agenda 1. Welcome 2. Introduction of Speakers 3. CT Department of Education Keith M. Norton, Chief Strategic Planning Officer Ajit Gopalkrishnan, Chief Performance Officer 4. Sheff Movement Updates Register for Zoom Meeting: https://forms.gle/zs1WMb7ARL63MMUM8 Previous Next

2023 State Legislative Session Update < Back March 2023 Meeting Who: Wes Horton What: 2023 State Legislative Session Update Where: Virtual: Via Zoom When: March 18, 2023 at 2:00:00 PM Meeting Agenda 1. Welcome 2. Introduction of Speaker 3. Sheff Decision Refresher Wes Horton 4. Sheff Movement Updates Open Choice Legislation SBAT/CBAT 5. Legislative Updates H.B. 5204 , An Act Concerning a Needs Assessment and Fair Share Plans for Municipalities to Increase Affordable Housing- Kari Nicewander , Director of Strategic Partnership at Open Communities Alliance H.B. 5003 , An Act Concerning Education Funding in Connecticut 6. Closing RSVP MEETING Previous Next

Under Construction to contact us: sheffmovementcoalition@gmail.com Our Signature Aesthetic Sheff Honored as Unsung Hero in 7th Grade Art Project For her 7th grade art project at The Unquowa School in Fairfield, Connecticut, Oola Breen-Ryan honored Alumni Specialist, Elizabeth Horton Sheff, as an unsung hero. We are so grateful for Elizabeth's committment to education and for her hard work at GUMSS. Oola is quoted saying, "For my project, I made a stack of cardboard books to show how Elizabeth Horton Sheff paved the way for education in Connecticut. I glued printed versions of the original complaint for the case, as well as the eventual agreement, onto my books. I also included a map of Hartford and a cut-up map of Connecticut. The different counties are separated and scattered around the sculpture to represent the differences in funding for education in parts of Connecticut, but also to show that, ultimately, the differences that are made in one part of a state could affect the rest of Connecticut. Finally, I put some inspiring quotes by Elizabeth Horton Sheff onto the covers and spines of the books." May Virtual Meeting Please join us on the 18th to hear updates on our 2024 visit to the Legislature! During our upcoming meeting we will continue discussion on our legislative agenda, including updates on our trip to the Legislature this session. Saturday, May18, 2024 10 AM - 11:30 AM RSVP here for Zoom link: https://forms.gle/JCZUPoQMPR3fyXRE9 UConn Law Honors John Brittain, Original Sheff Lawyer Article from Hartford Courant: UConn Law honors John Brittain, original Sheff lawyer, 33 years after school desegregation suit was filed. Sheff on WSHU Public Radio After 33 years in Connecticut courts, a Hartford school integration lawsuit reaches a new settlement.

SMC Updates < Back July 2014 Meeting Who: Led by SMC Staff/Leadership What: SMC Updates Where: SMC Offices - 75 Charter Oak Ave. 06106 When: July 19, 2014 at 2:00:00 PM Join us for a working brunch on July 19th from 10:00am-12:00pm. We’ll provide updates while you enjoy some coffee and tasty food (food will be here starting at 9:30 so feel free to come a little early), and then we plan to break into groups to brainstorm ideas and set goals for our new volunteer committees . Sheff Movement Office 75 Charter Oak Avenue, Building #1 (If you are using GPS, type the address as 146 Wyllys Street) Hartford, CT 06106 RSVP: Please email sheffmovementcoalition@gmail.com to confirm your attendance, so there’s enough (but not too much!) food. Previous Next

Join us for a conversation about housing, the landmark desegregation case, Sheff vs. O’Neill, and its impact on education in Connecticut. < Back Panel Discussion: Education, Housing, and the Role of Sheff vs. O'Neill Past Event Who: Speakers: John Brittain, Jack Dougherty, Elizabeth Horton Sheff, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas When: April 12, 2022 at 11:00:00 PM Where: Virtual: Via Zoom Join us for a conversation about housing, the landmark desegregation case, Sheff vs. O’Neill, and its impact on education in Connecticut. Previous Next

MONTHLY MEETINGS The Sheff Movement’s monthly meetings , which are open to the public and draw supporters from around the region, provide a regular opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to connect with one another and help us create a path to quality, integrated education for all children. Please join us! March Meeting Mar 19, 2022 10:00-11:30 AM Topic: Magnet Schools Virtual (Zoom) Get more info... February Meeting Feb 19, 2022 10:00-11:30 AM Topic: Open Choice Virtual (Zoom) Get more info... January Meeting Jan 15, 2022 10:00-11:30 AM Topic: CSDE Update w/Keith Norton Virtual (Zoom) Get more info...

Events Events that are upcoming and past in our community. Past Event May 12, 2022 at 5:00:00 PM Heroines of Hartford Unveiling Ceremony You are invited to celebrate with us at The Heroines of Hartford unveiling ceremony and view portraits of the honorees painted by renowned D.C.- based artist Levi Robinson. The paintings will remain on display for the community to appreciate w/ Master of Ceremony Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad More Details.. Past Event May 11, 2022 at 11:00:00 PM Opening Doors for Open Choice Discussion on the right to equal education, Sheff v. O’Neill court case, and Glastonbury’s participation in the Open Choice program. Speakers: Elizabeth Horton Sheff, Martha Stone, Tracy-Ann Johnson More Details.. Past Event May 9, 2022 at 11:00:00 PM Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative: Community Conversation Online Community Conversation: The culture war over America's racial reckoning and its place in public education Panelist: John Brittain, Paquita Jarman-Smith, Mark Pazniokas More Details.. Past Event April 12, 2022 at 11:00:00 PM Panel Discussion: Education, Housing, and the Role of Sheff vs. O'Neill Join us for a conversation about housing, the landmark desegregation case, Sheff vs. O’Neill, and its impact on education in Connecticut. Speakers: John Brittain, Jack Dougherty, Elizabeth Horton Sheff, Jacqueline Rabe Thomas More Details.. Past Event March 31, 2022 at 11:00:00 PM Racial Equity in Education: Honoring the Achievements of John Brittain Join the UConn School of Law to celebrate John Brittain and reflect on his many significant achievements as a faculty member. Speakers: John Brittain More Details..