At Convocation, NHPS Dances To School Year’s Start

The nation’s top education official, Miguel Cardona, offered a custom playlist with a song for every occasion for New Haven teachers as they get ready for the start of the school year on Thursday.

Track 1: ​“Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony, as a reminder to enjoy the work you do.

Track 2: ​“Respect” by Aretha Franklin, for when politics tries to creep its way into the classroom.

Track 3: ​“Livin’ on a Prayer” by Jon Bon Jovi, for January when ​“we’re halfway there.”

Track 4: ​“Valio La Pena” by Marc Anthony, to know it’s worth it.

Cardona offered that playlist — with plenty of bonus tracks — on Monday morning during the New Haven Public Schools’ (NHPS) annual convocation ceremony, which took place at the Floyd Little Athletic Center on Sherman Parkway. The event took place a few days before the first day of classes on Thursday.

The message by Cardona, a former top state education official who was tapped by President Biden to serve as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, fit right in at an event anchored by music and cultural celebrations.

Hundreds of NHPS educators and staff joined the event to build up their momentum to make for an impactful school year through singing, dancing, and music playing. 

Cross and Hillhouse cheerleading students and Hillhouse’s marching band cheered educators on throughout the celebration as the convocation event aimed to thank educators for bringing their talents to NHPS. 

And, in addition to the tracks mentioned above, Cardona included still more to spur teachers on as the year begins, including ​“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye, for when things get a tad difficult; ​“Humble” by Kendrick Lamar, for when non-professionals try to tell you how to do your job; and ​“Don’t Stop Believin’ ” by Journey, for when you need a push forward.

Like other speakers, Cardona thanked the hundreds of NHPS educators for their dedication and passion for changing the lives of youth. 

“We know in the last few years, you’ve saved lives,” he said. 

He wished them luck in the new school year and left educators with the homework assignment to create a music playlist of songs to get them through the school year, especially when times get tough. 

Throughout Monday’s celebration, the field house roared with rhythm and excitement from school staff and performers. 

Guests at Monday’s event included State Sen. and President Pro Tem Martin Looney, New Haven State Rep. Toni Walker, Board of Education members Matt Wilcox, Yesenia Rivera, Abie Benitez, student school board rep Harmony Davis Cruz-Bustamante, Annex Alder (and former NHPS principal) Sal Punzo and Board of Alders President and West River Alder Tyisha Walker-Myers. 

The Monday celebration followed a theme of celebrating student and staff cultures across NHPS. 

The celebration included a Bomba performance by Movimiento Cultural Afro-Continental, salsa dancing by Alisa’s House of Salsa, a student performance of a dance from Afghanistan, and the NHPS student and staff band. 

Performers with Alisa’s House of Salsa presented NHPS Supt. Madeline Negrón with a special dance welcoming her back to New Haven, then invited her on the stage to join in. 

Speakers included New Haven Academy English teacher Marco Cenabre, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Board of Ed President Yesenia Rivera, School Administrators Association President Sequella Coleman, New Haven Federation of Teachers President Leslie Blatteau, Paraprofessional Union President Hyclis Williams, parent speaker Jake Halpern, school board student rep Harmony Davis Cruz-Bustamante, and schools superintendent Negrón. 

The NHPS Staff Choir sang a rendition of the song ​“Hope” by Ysaye Barnwell. The dozen teachers invigorated the room with their words, singing ​“If we want hope to survive in this world today then everyday we’ve got to teach on.” 

The event’s emcee Justis Lopez took breaks between the program to get teachers cheering from the stands for their specific schools and the number of years they have taught which ranged from first-year educators to a staffer who has worked for NHPS for 52 years. 

Prizes were also given out to educators who registered for the event using a QR code they received upon entry. The prizes included four $50 gift cards to Stop & Shop and two $500 gift certificates to Avelo. 

Board of Ed student rep Harmony Davis Cruz-Bustamante shared that the students are on the educators’ side because ​“a teacher’s power is a student’s love.” 

New schools Supt. Negrón shared her personal story of migration and poverty with the educators and reminded them that the district’s 19,242 students ​“look to you to believe in them” despite their circumstances. 

“At the end of the day we are not in a factory line putting things together, we are talking about lives, we’re talking about human beings and we have to bring our entire self to this work,” Negrón said. 

From Secretary To Spanish Teacher

New Wilbur Cross High School Spanish teacher Filomena Ayala left Monday’s convocation celebration energized and excited, she said. 

Ayala has been a secretary and assistant to Cross’ principals since 2019. While working in the office, Ayala couldn’t help but constantly see the impact of teacher vacancies on the students, so she decided to step in and help. 

“I have a deep love for Spanish and I saw that all these kids had everyday were substitutes,” she said. ​“I took the opportunity to expand my role in my community.” 

Ayala, who is a New Haven native who has lived in Fair Haven and the Hill, said that while she will miss being an administrative assistant, she has always wanted to put her bachelors degree to use. 

She will teach Spanish 1 and 2 this year at Cross while a part of an alternative certification program. 

To prepare for the school year, Ayala has been spending her prep time watching YouTube tutorials and reading the district’s First Day of School textbook and the World Language department’s new teacher handbook. 

She said the handbooks have a wealth of important information for her to use throughout the year, which she looks forward to. 

When asked why she chose to work in New Haven and at Cross, Ayala said she considered teaching in Milford or Derby but would rather ​“grow in a place that I know and love.” 

Before helping at the schools Ayala worked in insurance for ten years. She made the switch to Cross four years ago to make an impact on her community and since doing so, she said, ​“there’s nothing like it.” 

She remained at Cross because of its ​“warm spirit,” she said. 

She recalled first arriving at Cross and getting a ​“welcome like no other” from former principal Edith Johnson with a hug and lots of love. 

“There’s something so special about Cross. We take everybody and it fills the building with hope,” she added. 

After the convocation event, Ayala headed back to Cross to find her new classroom and continue prepping her lesson plans. 

Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Childhood School Paraprofessional Patricia Lee began working for NHPS in November 2022. She previously spent 14 years working as a medical assistant and eight years as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

She unexpectedly found her place in education after the passing of her husband Errol R. Lee, who was a New Haven and Bridgeport educator. 

Before her husband passed in April 2022 Patricia was his primary caregiver and took a break from nursing to support him. She considered going back after his passing but instead found herself more interested in a different field, which was education. 

“It’s still caring for people but now I am like their mother or grandmother in the classroom,” she said. 

Patricia, who is a mother of six, said she fell in love with being a para and can’t wait to return to work because it has a healing effect for her all while she helps youth with their development. 

“It helps me with my grieving and I have the motherly instincts, so it’s natural,” she said. 

While at Monday’s convocation she said she felt the presence and support of her late husband who encouraged her with the words, ​“Honey you’re representing me.”