DAVID SEPULVEDA PHOTOS
The Eagles with coaches, back row: Rich Kirkland, left, Andrew Marullo, center, and Marc Villalongue.
Headed to the biggest flag rugby tournament in the country on June 6 will be the only Connecticut team invited to play in the NYC Rugby Cup — the Newhallville-based, Lincoln-Bassett Community School Eagles rugby team.
Rugby action at ConnCAT Student Showcase.
The team was created through the Drive 2 Succeed program in association with ConnCAT, an organization that operates after school programs designed to address the needs of both parents and students, according to ConnCAT CEO Erik Clemons. The collaboration is facilitated by the state education Commissioner’s Network, designed to help improve underperforming schools. ConnCAT programs cover a range of topics including financial literacy, technology, juvenile justice, entrepreneurship, and student focus areas of fine art, music, digital media, athletics, and science.
ConnCAT Tutors entertained at the reception.
Last Thursday the ConnCAT Center at Lincoln-Bassett Community School presented a student showcase of its after-school programs that included a ConnCAT band performance in the auditorium under the direction of musical instructor William Fluker, and another band comprised of some of the after-school program tutors, who later entertained at a reception.
Parents, students and guests watched a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) digital student presentation…
… while some took a multiple-choice quiz that tested participants’ knowledge of volcanoes.
5th grader Are’ Riona Bowens prepares to mix volcanic simulation ingredients.
Soon afterward, a row of volcanoes erupted as students simulated volcanic eruptions with vinegar, baking soda, and dry ice.
Storm with student artwork that was displayed throughout the building.
Students in grades 3 through 6 exhibited artworks inspired by artists like Jasper Johns and Georgia O’Keeffe. Arts instructor Katro Storm, a well-known New Haven artist and curator, said he incorporates art history with the art lessons and projects taught in his after school ConnCAT classes.
After-school program manager Steve Driffin instructs students.
ConnCAT’s after school program manager, Steve Driffin, said that in the seven months since the program started, there have been positive changes in student attitudes and behavior. “Many of the strengths and talents of the students develop due to the positive relationships with staff in addition to the creative programs offered,” he said. “Students are discovering that they are actually gifted and smart in areas they may have never gotten a chance to explore otherwise.”
One of those areas now includes rugby, a sport invented in 19th-century England that has been modified for U.S. school sports teams. Rugby is not typically a mainstay of urban school athletic programs, but Andrew Marullo, the founder and executive director of DRIVE 2 Succeed — who has implemented some rugby programs in New Haven’s public schools — believes in the positive outcomes and benefits of the sport. Marullo discussed the role and goals of the rugby program at ConnCAT with New Haven Independent in the interview that follows:
“With rugby being reintroduced to the Olympics in 2016, exposure of the sport in the U.S. has never been higher,” Marullo said. “There are more opportunities than ever to gain college scholarships or travel the world for rugby. If students start the game young and learn the values and skills of the sport they will open up a lot of doors for themselves.”
DRIVE 2 Succeed was invited to participate at Lincoln-Bassett because of their past work in New Haven schools. An after-school program at Lincoln Bassett last year included 1 hour of science enrichment and 1 hour of rugby for 15 students. The program was expanded to include over 75 students this year.
“We believed that rugby, with its intrinsic values, was a perfect vehicle to promote success while also expanding the worldview, increasing academic achievement, and improving physical fitness,” said Marullo. Rugby “is a co-ed, fast paced, high scoring, and inclusive game. Children with any type of ability can play the game and be successful in some way. Many of our volunteers and staff have been college students from SCSU, Quinnipiac, Yale and UNH, which allows program participants to see successful individuals and hopefully strive to be like them one day.”
Article Update:
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Lincoln-Bassett Eagles returned from a successful AIG — NYC Rugby Cup Tournament winning third place in the overall tournament. The team won 2 games and tied 1 in the first round, and made it to the top tier bracket and all the way to the semi finals. The overall record was 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. “The boys has a great time and really acted like a team the entire day” said Marullo.
