Capitol Region Education Council s3

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Julia Winer November 14, 2013 Assistant Director of Communications (860) 509-3666 [email protected]

Inaugural Year of JV Athletics a Major Success for CREC Schools

(Hartford, CT) As the trees began to shed their leaves and daylight savings time came to an end, CREC student- athletes at the junior varsity level competed in championship soccer games and track meets for the first time. The air at each event was electric as students, staff, and parents celebrated the championship teams and a successful inaugural season of JV athletics.

As CREC Magnet Schools continue to grow and begin to occupy their permanent school building sites, the district is engaged in an aggressive initiative to provide sports programing to their more than 3,500 secondary school-aged students. The long-awaited program was overwhelmingly popular this year, with more than 500 students from CREC’s middle and high schools participating in soccer and cross country. Participation far exceeded initial expectations for the program, which was started only one year ago with middle school sports teams.

The CREC Athletics program is seen by CREC administrators and families as an essential component of providing students with a comprehensive educational experience. “CREC students have found success in so many areas – academics, the arts, the sciences,” explained Jonathan Winer, Athletic Director for CREC. “Athletics give them yet another avenue to show their talents.” Winer, who has coached collegiate basketball at several institutions including Lehigh University, commented that, “Athletics have had a huge influence on my life and have the ability to positively impact a young person by developing leadership and teamwork skills, along with a sense of pride that can help them to be successful in high school, college and beyond.”

Fortune Magazine reported that 95% of Fortune 500 executives participated in high school athletics, while 47% were members of the National Honor Society. The University of Chicago found that student-athletes do better in school, have a higher level of self-confidence, are more likely to graduate from college, and have parents that are more involved in the educational process. Sports have also been found to reduce rates of absenteeism, drug use, and dropout.

The athletic program has been carefully designed to help children build self-confidence and self-esteem, character, responsibility, and leadership skills. “The athletic program is an extension of the district’s academic programming,” explained Tim Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent of CREC Schools. “We take special care to ensure that the program maintains high expectations for all participants, while providing students with access to new challenges, healthy competition, and meaningful team experiences.” The program will also be used as an avenue to get CREC students more involved in the community. Each team is required to participate in at least one community service project during the season.

The program has also brought a new feeling of camaraderie to the schools. Throughout the season, many teachers and parents attended the games to show support for the student-athletes. “Sports have breathed new life into our school,” shared Robert McCain, Principal of the CREC Two Rivers Magnet School. “Kids are so excited to represent their school and wear their uniforms with pride.”

Last year, CREC began the venture by offering sports at its six middle schools. This year, the program was Capitol Region Education Council www.crec.org expanded to offer junior varsity level sports at five high schools in the newly formed Capital Region Athletic League, which included the participation of some nearby Hartford Magnet Schools. CREC expects that this year’s winter and spring programs in basketball, indoor track, baseball, track and field, and Ultimate Frisbee will attract at least another 1,000 students.

Starting in the fall of 2014, CREC will offer varsity level sports to high school students for the first time. Along the way, CREC will continue to expand sports offerings at both the middle school and high school levels, with plans to begin programs in wrestling, volleyball, and football.

“We are proud of how the athletics program has developed,” said Winer. “Our students deserve this program, and now they have so much to look forward to.”

CREC celebrates all of the CREC student-athletes that participated on cross country and soccer teams this fall and congratulates the following championship winners:  Middle School Boys Soccer Champion: CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School  Middle School Girls Soccer Champion: CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School  Middle School Boys Cross Country Champion: CREC Metropolitan Learning Center  Middle School Girls Cross Country Champion: CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School  High School Capitol Region Athletic League Boys Soccer Champion: CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering/HMTCA  High School Capitol Region Athletic League Girls Soccer Champion: CREC Two Rivers Magnet High School  High School Capitol Region Athletic League Boys Cross Country Champion: Achievement First  High School Capitol Region Athletic League Girls Cross Country Champion: CREC Medical Professions and Teacher Preparation Academy

The Capitol Region Education Council was established in 1966. Working with and for its member districts, CREC has developed a wide array of cost-effective and high-quality programs and services to meet the educational needs of children and adults in the region. CREC regularly serves 36 towns in Greater Hartford, offering more than 120 programs to more than 150,000 students annually. CREC manages more than 35 facilities throughout the area, including 19 interdistrict magnet schools. More information about CREC or CREC’s award-winning Magnet Schools is available at www.crec.org.

Capitol Region Education Council www.crec.org