CONNECTICUT COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES YANKEE POST ANTHONY ROY, President March, 2021 TIM WEINLAND DAN COUGHLIN, Co-editors President’s Message Editors’ Note Last summer, the Connecticut January 6 - what a start to 2021 ! This issue has several Council for the Social Studies articles devoted to the issues raised by politicians committed to look inward to and educators responding to the events of that day. evaluate our organization through Significant in that discussion is a letter sent to the an antiracist lens. The board of Connecticut legislature by President Tony Roy ( see directors said they would look Page 4) Adding to the discussion, on page 5 we raise at our programs, processes, and concerns we have voiced before: in what ways and to board composition to ensure that what degree are Social Studies classrooms to be held we are upholding a high standard responsible for promoting thoughtful, responsible of equity. This commitment is citizenship. At least one of us it old enough to remember long term and will be mostly when Social Studies was actually called Citizenship conducted behind the scenes, especially within the Education – at the time, it seemed that such a department early stages. Our course of action so far has been to seek title seemed one step shy of indoctrination. And a few help from an outside organization to guide us through of us can recall when the “Social” in Social Studies was strategic planning. Just last month, we signed a contract considered by the radical right as code for socialism . with the Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University and, by Whatever the history of department titles, it seems that the end of this academic year, the board will engage in we are called once again to help “cure” the nation’s ills. a best practices seminar, where we will examine how we currently conduct business and determine how we The pressure for a focus on civics raises the inevitable can ensure that the CCSS board of directors is run in question: to what degree should political issues and the most effective way possible. Following that, we political disagreement be significant components of will begin to explore options for revising policies and social studies courses and classroom discussion? There strategic planning. is no question that the most even-handed treatment of a contemporary issue will still invite objection from In the near term, we have a very promising slate of someone in the community or on the school board. candidates for the board of directors that will bring Indeed, is there an even-handed way to conduct a more diverse voices to the organization. We will include discussion of the “proud boys”? All that said, a civics more geographic, professional, and cultural diversity, course reduced to “pablum”, where controversy is as this is what is needed to best represent Connecticut’s avoided, would have appear to have limited value in teachers as we strive for a world in which all students are educated and inspired for lifelong inquiry and informed preparing students to enter the “real world”. Much of civic action. Reaching this vision continues to be our this is addressed beginning on page 6. primary objective as we advocate and build capacity for high-quality social studies by providing leadership, Along with the pressure for civics we have several services, and support to educators. As board president, I other items for your interest including two proposals for cannot think of a better way of meeting this vision and addressing the Holocaust - one of them Canadian. (page mission than to include as many perspectives as possible. 12) For World History teachers we have unearthed a As we are rolling into spring, it is time to nominate brief description of British poverty in the century. educators and leaders for one of our prestigious awards. If you were looking forward to NERC this Spring we (continued on page 2) (continued on page 2) President’s Message - continued Each year, the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies CCSS Officers and Board 2020-2021 recognizes excellence, leadership and passion in our Tony Roy, President Global Exp Magnet Sch field. Those nominations come from you. This year, as Nora Mocarski, Vice President Canton HS we all know, has been especially trying and social studies Rich Storrs, Admin Officer E. Hampton MS teachers and leaders have endured to promote the content Max Amoh, Treasurer Yale (ret.) and inquiry practices needed for the future success of our Louise Uchaczyk, Membership Foran HS (ret.) democracy. Let’s remember that social studies teachers Ed Dorgan, Legis. Liaison. Har-Bur MS are on the front lines of ensuring that our Constitutional Elyse Poller, Past President Mansfield MS democracy endures. So, let’s recognize individuals that Stephen Armstrong Rachel Riendeau are helping make this a reality. Please see the awards LeAnn Cassidy Erin Simcik section of our website as the nomination deadlines are Sandra Clark Mary Skelly fast approaching. Karen Cook Justin Taylor Dan Coughlin Alecia G. Thomas In addition to awards, 2021 is shaping up to be another Victoria Crompton Chris Todd remarkable year in terms of programming. In May, we Kelly Falvey John Tully hope to see you all at our Annual Meeting where we will Federico Fiondella Gini Vancil recognize award winners and virtually engage in trivia. Khary Fletcher Greg Frank Honorary Members This summer, there will be a variety of professional Anne Guandalini Daniel Gregg development opportunities that we will be announcing Laura Krenicki Keith Dauer soon. Finally, we are in the early planning processes for our Kate McGrath Sandy Senior-Dauer annual Fall ‘21 conference where social studies teachers Valerie McVey Tedd Levy and leaders from across the state and nation converge to Jennifer Murrihy Tim Weinland engage in professional learning opportunities. We will Melissa Potamianos provide more info as soon as it becomes available. In closing, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies Editors’ Note - continued continues to advocate for social studies teachers in our state. Although we’ve all faced unprecedented disruption note that it was re-configured to a “virtual” conference over the past year, it is clear that we are on the verge of this past Fall. NERC’s future would appear to be building back better. We look forward to a time when it somewhat in doubt. Originally developed by the Mass is safe to congregate and share ideas in person, but, until Council, with the organization subsequently shared with then, please know that the Connecticut Council for the CCSS, the NERC conference enjoyed wide support Social Studies is dedicated to serving our members and from teachers and presenters for many years. Many meeting the moment in terms of promoting the social of us old timers looked forward each year to renewing studies. personal and professional relationships with teachers from other states. We hope that some regional-wide conference will return in 2022. Finally, we direct you to page 15 for a list of CCSS Support Your Awards. If you have nominations or wish to know more about an award, plese contact Kate McGrath Profession at [email protected]. See the CCSS website - Join CCSS and NCSS CTSocialStudies.org for nomination forms. We wish you all the best as schools work to bring See Membership Form students back to your classrooms. on Page 17 Tim [email protected] Dan [email protected] 2 State Department Activities Greetings! There are three opportunities that I want to tell you about. If you are interested in one or more, please let me, know 1. The State Department of Education, the Democracy Center at the Old State House, and the University of Connecticut are co-sponsoring the introduction of a discussion protocol for students called “Encounters”. This is an incredibly successful approach to having students (high school and middle school) read about a topic and then discuss in a very meaningful way. I have seen this being used and have been incredibly impressed. Let me know if you would like to learn more. 2. The Red, White and Blue Schools program is sponsored by the Connecticut State Department of Education, the Democracy Center at the Old State House and the Secretary of State’s Office and every year recognizes schools that do a superior job of teaching civic education. We are not having a formal program this year, but we have tons of materials on voting, on elections, and on other topics in civics education. If you would like us to share these materials with you, with some teachers in your building, or with students please let me know. 3. We will be sponsoring a webinar soon on “Students Taking Civic Action”. Part of this webinar will be students sharing their experiences of how they have shaped their communities. If you have students in your school that would be good participants in this webinar, please let me know. Some bills, which you probably know about, to keep an eye out for this session: 1. A bill making Native American History a mandated part of social studies curriculum 2. A bill mandating the teaching of civics and civic literacy in the middle and elementary schools 3. A bill mandating a full year of high school civics 4. A bill creating a Task Force to review the teaching of civics in Connecticut Please let me know if our office can assist you in any way. Steve 3 An Open Letter to Connecticut’s Legislators for the 2020 Biennium Dear Legislators: As the Education Committee weighs a variety of measures related to teaching and learning for our state, please consider the importance and role of social studies in a well-balanced, equitable, and excellence-centered curriculum.