House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

April 22, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Rep. Noujaim Hosts M. M. Generali Elementary School 5th Graders Visit to State Capitol

 

Students Tour Capitol; Are Greeted by House Speaker Amann, Majority Leader Donovan                          

State Representative Selim Noujaim today hosted four 5th Grade classes from the M. M. Generali Elementary School in Waterbury’s East End, who toured the State Capitol and the Legislative Office Building and were greeted by Speaker of the House James A. Amann, D-Milford, and House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden.

 “I am always pleased to expose the youth of our community to the work that we do here at the State Capitol,” said Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury, who hosted a similar visit in March from the Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School. “Our children are the future of our society and we have an obligation to enhance their educational opportunities. It’s my hope that their visit to the State Capitol today made them more aware of how our democracy works and will help them become successful adults who play active roles in the life of their community.”

“The students’ experiences at the State Capitol today will make what they learn about state government in the classroom more real,” said teacher Thomas Haines, who teaches one of the 5th grade classes who visited the capitol.

“We haven’t been to the capitol for a few years because of the increasing cost of transporting the children on school trips,” said teacher Chris Barrett, a 32-year veteran of the Waterbury school system. “The kids loved coming here today and enjoyed the beauty of these buildings. It was a wonderful experience for the children.”

“I haven’t been [to the State Capitol] since I was in the 5th grade 35 years ago and I wanted to see how it has changed. It’s a really beautiful building,” said parent Sean Nolan, whose daughter urged him to accompany the students as a chaperone.

“It’s a great opportunity for the students to go outside the classroom, visit the state capitol, learn how government works and who’s working for them and what [state legislators] do,” teacher Timothy Coughlin said.

Also accompanying the 93 students on their capitol tour was teacher Sue Normandin.