Um so that's just a a point. Uh but what I did on the left was there's been a lot of talk of like where what schools have actually adopted this across the state of Connecticut. So I took some schools. You can see here I started with Cheshure at the top. You have the DUR right below and the number of hours in the school day. And so you see Brookfield, Greenwich, New Town, and Westport were the schools that have later than 8 pm 800 am start times. There have been other schools that have considered this including Trumbull, West Hartford, Darienne. Um, but there's been no commitment at this point to changing their high school start times. But that's kind of the current outlay. Um, some other schools that you can see for comparison points. Actually, if you go back to this chart, um, you'll be able to see any of the schools that are listed here, their earliest tier one is their high school start time.
And we've been very successful with those programs to date. the Connecticut Teacher Apprentice Program and being a registered apprentice allows us access to um potential workforce development money um down the road and other grants and opportunities that we might be eligible for. So, we have applied to be a registered apprentice program. What that does is it allows us to become um it serves as an umbrella program so that other pipeline programs that want to kind of pitch onto our wagon um can do so and the parameters are already in place, the structure and the the memos and agreements that that we would have um working as working partners uh across uh different groups. So um we're excited that we're almost through our application process and we should have that wrapped up in the next week or so. Um, and that will allow us to become um, Damry Public School System, a registered apprentice program, one of our main partners would be Western Connecticut State University.
Um, swimming in the neighbor's pond. Um, we went and visited their alpacas. Um, we had movie night. We had an incredible talent show. Like, well, we called the talentless show. Not everyone had to have talent. Um, talent was optional, but it was amazing. It was amazing. Um, yeah, we had a movie night with um, McFarland USA, which is a great cross country movie. Um, and I think the kids who went just had a had a great time. Um, so wouldn't make any changes made last year. And well, I guess the only change we would make is last year it was $125 per student. Um, this year it's $150. We came out even last year, but that's because t-shirts got messed up, so we had some money refunded and then some parents donated some food. So those things don't happen this year. We just wanted to make sure um we had it all covered.
Despite these challenges, I have the privilege of immersing myself in adaptive sports and playing sled hockey at a nationally competitive level. For a little background on how I made it to Essex Tech, I begged my mom to call Essex Tech because I was sure this is where I was supposed to be. When the front desk staff asked if I was in seventh or eighth grade, my mom laughed and replied that I was in fact in fourth grade, just eager to learn about admissions. 10-year-old me with her clunky metal walker would never have believed I'd be standing here today. I think of the younger version of myself who would die for the opportunities I have, the experiences I've enjoyed, and the memories I've created on and off this school campus. Those experiences gave me a unique lens to view these past four years. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's this.
So, that's just, um, a note. I actually have to just double check Glastonberries. Um, but most of the comparative schools are having earlier than 8 a.m. start times. Uh, so I'm going to go to the proposal, but Jeff, I don't know if you want to share anything else about later high school start times before I show the proposal. No, I mean just to get, you know, several years ago where an and I really had, no puns intended, our eyes opened up to the start time issue on sleep for kids. Um there's a a doctor out of Boston Children's Hospital, uh Dr. Judith Owens, who gave a very comprehensive um overview of research on the topic. And I've had I've spoken to other uh doctors. There was a gentleman out of Guilford. Um you know, it's really indisputable the impact it has. It's it's obviously um pretty impactful.
Again, we has we've had residency programs with them before. Um, this is a little bit more official and there's some funding attached to it. So, um, we did receive a little bit of money, seed money from the state um, through through our egrant system um, to help support um, up to five teachers this year with Westcon. And then we have another uh program through the Connecticut TRP who are another up to three teachers as well. So right now we have about maybe eight total um for next year that we're that we will be filling and then um we'll also be partnering with Yukon uh for another I think it was four teachers. I have to go back and look at my numbers. Kelly shaking your head. Yep, it was four. And then University of Bridgeport. We're hoping to to to beef up our pip like our pipeline with them as well.
Um and if we're going to make it clear to the kids that if you know money is a concern or anyone can't afford it. Um we have money in our Clocker Club account that you know we can easily cover that. So the trip itself is optional and we make that clear to the kids. Um and then you know if they need financial assistance cover it. When you u you guys came forward with this last year and I think a couple other teams have done something similar. usually came in with a purpose and a goal. Wondering if you just speak to what that goal is and whether you felt like doing this program last year helped you in that respect and team building, but I don't want to speak for you. Right. Well, and I think that that was first and foremost and I knock on wood limited drama like the kids.
We are all shaped by the perspectives we carry and more importantly but by what we choose to create with them. Every one of us in this graduating class holds a perspective that's shaped who we are and how we've grown just as valid as mine. That's 419 stories, 419 voices, 419 journeys that brought us to this moment and 1,676 versions of our high school years at Essex Tech. My version of perspective has taught me that creation isn't always something you can see. Sometimes it's about building endurance, empathy, or grit. I didn't just have to learn how to walk. I had to learn how to adapt to create my own path forward. And then I discovered in that way all of us are creators. So naturally, when I sat down to write this speech, I reflected on one of Essex Tech Core's pillars, which is create. We've all heard it.
Um but it's one of many variables that we consider. I think if it was on its face and that was the only variable, every school in Connecticut, every high school in Connecticut or the country would start closer to nine o'clock. Um, but that's not the only variable. Tim brought up cost, athletics and afterchool activities, uh, child care. Um, there are a number of variables that go into this. And so I think we share the information and the possibilities and collect community feedback about feelings on those different variables and we try and make the best decision we can to support our kids and community. So with that, Emily can share Oh, go ahead, Sam. I I was just going to say as much as I, you know, am a proponent of a later start time, I just feel like it's going to be a lot more pre-work to educate our community as opposed to kind of ripping the band-aid and saying, "Hey, we're going to start, you know, at this time." Um I I also feel like given those variables some of the research is 50/50 as well too though Jeeoff you know it's I don't know I I think it's a lot um a lot of steps need to be taken to to really lean towards this proposal and I know Emily you're going to show it but it's just a little takes a little more convincing with our community for this to kind of um hopefully move forward, but we'll see.
But the registered apprentice program is a very deliberate program where u a mentor teacher from our district would stay with them over the course of the fall and the spring and then where they would provide a very deliberate mentorship type process um to help kind of build um the apprentice programs are very interesting because they're originally designed to get folks who are already in the workforce uh in industry to convert to come into teaching. Um and what that does is it's uh provides a little bit of funding and support um for that process. So it's much harder for second career person to make the leap over. So this is sort of an enticement through the state um to encourage that process. So over time we hope to see more folks coming into education. So um there's about maybe three or four districts in in Connecticut that have signed on to to be registered apprentice programs.
Um but it was even impressive to us as we these goals going in, but watching them all work together. There is always a plan, who's on meal prep, who's on meal setup, who's on meal cleanup. Um, there was participation from everyone. We were kind of fortunate. We had a few boy scouts amongst us. So, so that helped and that actually gave some of the kids who, you know, crossc country wise that may not be their greatest skill, but like we did not have a single match used. The Boy Scouts lit every fire with sticks. Um, and so it like it was great because it gave like every kid a chance to shine. Um, you know, they whittleled we have a a team flag and we told them they need to go find a flag pole in the woods. Um, and they not only did that, but they got it and then like whittleled it and did a whole they were working on it all weekend.
create, encourage, promote, and develop. But what does it truly mean to create? At first, I thought of the tangible things we produce in our shops. We build decks, we weld metal, groom dogs, bake cakes, draw, write, grow plants, and so much more. But as our English teachers would remind us, there is always a deeper meaning. Creation isn't just about making something physical. It's about discovering who we are and what we stand for. When we arrived at Essex Tech as wideeyed freshmen, we were nervous, excited, and maybe a little lost. I definitely remember thinking our school looked like a mall. It's safe to say we had no idea what the next four years would hold. Since we all chose a non-traditional form of education, each of the 24 shops we explored allowed us to see life through someone else's lens. It's through these moments of discovery and challenge that creation takes on its deepest meaning.
Yeah. Again, I mean, we're sharing and I think it's um relevant to share points of research for people to get that information, but ultimately it's one of several options that people will see and be able to weigh in on. Yeah. And I I I appreciate that. And I think um I guess my the followup question is how how are you collecting the feedback then after you know all these proposals are made public I guess. Yes. So why don't we walk through this and then we can talk about that at the end. Yep. Tim u thank you. As far as the delayed start times go, uh yeah, I'm I'm uh in terms of as far as delayed start times go, in terms of the science behind it, having better outcomes for the kids, I'm I'm totally open-minded to this to hearing what the hearing what the arguments are.
Um, so Danbury is putting their foot in the hat in the ring, if you will, um, to become one of them and we're hoping that that will yield some additional funding down the road, um, as we look to kind of be innovative in this area. So, I just wanted to update you on that one. And next on the list here is a principal hiring update. I'll turn it over to Kim. We've been uh had a busy day here today in Deberry and she can update us on the process. We did. Um, thank you. So today we hosted um three panels of educators to interview for two open principal positions. The Broadview Middle School principal position and the Westside Middle Schooly's uh principal position. The um board policy that you have for principal um applicants and interviews involves two panels. And so one panel is made up of um central office and core um educators.
Um, so um, you know, that was nice to see that like some kids who may not be specifically leaders on the team running wise got a chance to, um, to stand out. And then, you know, for the meals, we we had a red, white, and blue team and assigned them, you know, each they each had a lunch, a breakfast, and a dinner. Um, and those teams were made of different grades and boys and girls and we tried to split up all the friend groups so that um, and I think a couple of kids commented afterwards that like because of that they got to know you know kids that they may not work with otherwise. So do you see that have proof to have benefits throughout the season? Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. Um because even some of our our practices on a leader to bring along different levels of um ability running.
We create space for others to feel seen, safe, and valued. We create confidence even when fear threatens to hold us back. We create opportunities for ourselves and for those who come after us. We create community by lifting each other up. We create resilience because life doesn't hand you a blueprint. And most importantly, we create connections with others that make all of this worth it. At Essex Tech, those connections were everywhere. on bus rides to Skills USA, FFA or DECA, in the shared panic over senior portfolio deadlines and during senior events that have given us lasting memories. Now we turn to what's next. Some of us are off to college, others to the workforce or military, and some of us are still figuring it out, and that's okay. The beauty of creation is that it's never finished. We get to keep building, keep growing, and keep evolving.
Um, the the two counterpoints I will offer up off the top of my head are number one, we still have what makes no sense to me, daylight savings time. So, as far as that benefit going, it gets messed up like twice a year anyway in November and March. Um, but the other the other point uh or maybe this is two points. So, the sun is moving on a daily basis, right? So it's moving a what's it go from pretty much from like say 4:30 or so to 8:30 maybe nine maybe five hours over the course of several months. So it's moving that'd be call it 300 minutes in a day over the course of call it 150 days like two two minutes per day it's changing anyway. Um and the other thing that goes through my mind is Connecticut what we're saying right here is that we have a 7:30 start time.
So, some of our curriculum folks, a a assortment of people. The second panel involves teachers and those most likely to be affected by the hire is the language in the policy. So, we actually ran two teacher panels, one for each school and one administrative panel. Right. Thank you to Michelle for uh spending the day with us. Um and we saw a series of candidates that will now whittle down to um a small handful of finalists for the superintendent and her leadership team. Um tomorrow, we're going to undergo a similar process. uh for the elementary assistant principal openings that we have. So that will be again through a two panel process and we hope to yield um a couple of really high quality leaders to fill those positions as well. Um and then we're looking down the calendar for the next couple of weeks for some of our other openings in the administrative ranks.
So even that it was not um you know competing to them to say you know go with go run with this or you know and even some of those kids have been on track indoor and outdoor. So they're really um the skills keep going um which is great. Uh the other thing that happened on the trip was we have different levels of ability for for the kids. So, you know, making sure that there was a level of um workouts and running for everybody and there were a few that that kind of held back and enough of us. Yeah. Yeah, I think the one challenge I would say is that for the freshman or the kids who are new to the team, it can be a little bit intimidating to, you know, it's two weeks into practice and to be like, you're going to go away for a weekend asleep in a tent with these people you just met.
Now, I want to take a moment to recognize those who have brought me here. To my classmates, thank you for being a part of my journey. You've inspired me more than you know. To my best friends, Marley, Briana, and Marin, thank you for showing me that I found my people here. I'll miss all crumble runs, late night talks, and debriefs after every minor inconvenience. To my teachers and mentors, thank you for believing in me even when I was still learning to believe in myself. A special thank you to Miss Brush and Mr. Mandelbomb. Miss Brush, your humor, mentorship, and compassion have driven me to become a better student in person. I hope you spend your summer in your gazebo with your flip-flops on and no worries in sight. Mr. Mandlebomb, your kindness and humility are a daily reminder of what it means to be a true leader.