Norwalk ACTS for Children Starts Its Work

Norwalk Community College is home to a new group of community leaders and educators who believe that leveling the educational playing field should begin in kindergarten.

The group, known as Norwalk ACTS for Children, formed in the spring at the invitation of NCC President David Levinson following an NCC Lifetime Learners conference on the federal “No Child Left Behind” legislation. Its goals are to address issues that prevent or deter young people in Norwalk from achieving their full potential for success and to provide educational access and opportunity.

“Norwalk Community College is honored to house this exciting initiative that brings educators and community leaders together in support of quality education for all Norwalk residents,” said President Levinson.

The Norwalk ACTS task force has 25 members representing more than 15 local organizations. Group members collaborate to identify the needs and problems of at-risk youth in the City of Norwalk and to foster interaction between agencies.

The task force has identified three areas of importance: Early education efforts to benefit pre-kindergarten children ages five and under, activities and summer job opportunities for youth, and effective interventions for students requiring disciplinary management.

NCC has already begun implementing Norwalk ACTS initiatives. During the summer, NCC provided summer jobs for eight Norwalk students through the Mayor¹s Summer Youth Initiative and also hosted an enrichment program for young children. Funded by the Norwalk Children's Foundation, the enrichment program served 22 preschoolers who learned social and language skills designed to prepare them for kindergarten. The program also provided English as a Second Language instruction to the preschoolers’ parents.