In response to several concerns affecting athletics at Weaver High School, CAC’s organizers held a meeting with over 30 parents and a number of athletes to better understand the issues.
Over 50 students, practicing and playing at Bulkeley High School in Hartford’s South End due to school renovations, were given public bus tokens to their North End homes after practice and games, sometimes as late as 10 PM. The parents, many without vehicles, were scared for their children’s safety. They wanted bus transportation provided for school-sponsored sports while their children were relocated to a different part of town. They requested this of the school principal and athletic director, to no avail.
With CAC’s assistance, the parents researched the cost of bus transportation, identified the administrator in charge of authorizing the necessary funds, and developed a strategy for securing the desired transportation.
A meeting was held with the Chief Operations Officer who oversees transportation and athletics at Hartford Public Schools. The parents asked for transportation with well-reasoned arguments and a preparedness to assemble more parents to obtain media attention should transportation not be provided. By week’s end, bus transportation was provided for the 50 athletes.
Through a small, local action, committed parents were given a taste of what is possible when they connect with each other, organize, and strategically seek desired changes. As a result, several parent leaders have deepened their training with CAC nd are becoming active community-wide leaders.
