Avon Parents Maguire, Parry Honored at Connecticut Capital

Mrs. Heather Maguire and Mrs. Rebecca Parry are the recipients of the 2013 Parental Involvement Recognition Award and were honored at the State Capital with eighteen other parents from across the state on November 21. 

Nominated by Roaring Brook School Principal Crisanne Colgan, Mrs. Maguire and Mrs. Parry were recognized for their outstanding contributions to high quality education for all children and for their active involvement in the community. 

As President of the Roaring Brook School PTO for four years, Mrs. Maguire demonstrates extraordinary commitment to providing an extensive plethora of programs and resources to the students and staff, including the construction of a new playground this spring. 

“Mrs. Maguire possesses the remarkable ability to mobilize those around her to work collaboratively and tirelessly on behalf of children”, Dr. Colgan stated.  In addition to her PTO responsibilities, Mrs. Maguire serves as vice-chair of the Avon Education Foundation Board and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Friends Board and Gala auction co-chair. In addition, Mrs. Maguire was recently elected to serve on the Avon Town Council.

Mrs. Parry was recognized for her dedication and advocacy to ensuring equity for the Hartford families in the Avon community.  As a key member of the Roaring Brook School Open Choice Resource Team, Mrs. Parry is active in establishing and fostering family connections between families in Hartford and in Avon. She serves as a host family and is highly influential in extending partnerships between students and families.

 “Mrs. Parry demonstrates a deep and personal commitment to celebrating diversity and family partnerships”, Dr. Colgan stated.  In addition, Mrs. Parry serves as the Roaring Brook School PTO representative to the Town, and serves on the Executive Board of the Pine Grove Preschool.

The Parental Involvement Recognition Award was presented by the State Education Resource Center (SERC) and the Connecticut Parent Information Resource Center (CT PIRC), in collaboration with the Connecticut Commission on Children.  The awards marked National Parental Involvement Day, an annual event launched by Project Appleseed, a St. Louis-based educational advocacy group that promotes parental involvement.