Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Arts for Learning Connecticut
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1 Evergreen Ave, Suite 33
City: Hamden
State: CT
Postal Code: 06518
Main Phone: 203-230-8101
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.aflct.org
Employer ID Number: 06-1009470
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/27/2025
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Higher Order Thinking Schools: creative, inspired, arts learning in Hamden, CT
Project Description:

Arts for Learning Connecticut (AFLCT) seeks support from the Hermanowski Family Foundation to implement our flagship Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools program at two Hamden schools—Church Street Elementary and ACES Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet Middle School—from January to June 2026. HOT Schools is a whole-school, arts-integrated teaching and learning program that improves student engagement, enriches school culture, and expands teacher practice—particularly in underserved communities.

The program uses three key strategies: (1) school-wide performances that connect students to professional artists and spark collective creativity; (2) hands-on arts workshops, co-led by Teaching Artists and classroom teachers, that bring creative learning into core subjects; and (3) extended residencies, where artists co-teach with teachers to embed artforms like dance, storytelling, and visual art into English Language Arts and other subjects.

Between January and June 2026, HOT Schools will reach 750 students (grades K–8) across these two schools. Each student will participate in at least two performances, one in-class arts workshop, and many will take part in multi-day arts-integrated residencies. All teachers will engage in professional development to support creative, culturally relevant instruction. This represents hundreds of hours of arts education programming.

Both Church Street and Wintergreen serve high percentages of BIPOC and low-income students (90% and 55%, respectively), many of whom face academic and emotional challenges in school. By engaging students through the arts—and by helping teachers reach students in new ways—HOT Schools provides joyful, hands-on learning that supports creative expression, connection, and personal accomplishment. In fact, recent evaluation shows that 83% of educators observed Social and Emotional Learning growth, and 91% of students reported positive engagement and creative learning.

With your support, we will bring the power of arts learning to Hamden students who need it most—building stronger classrooms, schools, and futures. Thank you for your consideration!

Total Project Budget: 90000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): CT Office of the Arts ($15,000, committed); Wintergreen Magnet Schools Grant ($15,000, committed); Carol Bailey and Laurie Desmet ($10,000, committed); National Endowment for the Arts ($15,000, potential); Cornelia T Bailey Foundation ($15,000, potential); Frank Loomis Palmer Fund ($10,000, potential)

Project Duration: 1/1/2026 – 6/30/2026
Geographical Area Served: Hamden, CT
Age Group To Be Served: 5-13

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr
Contact First Name: John-Michael
Contact Last Name: Parker
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 203-623-5068
Contact Email: jmparker@aflct.org