The primary goal of the Interdistrict School Programs is to reduce racial, economic, and social isolation by partnering classes from separate Connecticut school districts together on field trips throughout the year. In addition to classes being partnered together for the length of the program, each student is partnered with a student from the partner class. Interdistrict partnership programs are offered for both 4th- and 5th- grade classes and each partnership meets approximately 6 times from late September through early June. The field trips center on Connecticut history and students visit the CHS Museum as well as partner schools and other area museums. Each session is meant to enhance students’ appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity in Connecticut today, while learning about many diverse cultures in the state’s history. The program helps students build their academic skills by linking the content of each field trip directly to the goals specified in The Connecticut Framework: K-12 Curricular Goals and Standards.

Fourth- and fifth-grade teachers from public schools in the greater Hartford area (and up to 35 miles away for rural classes) who would be interested in enrolling for the 2007-2008 school year, please contact the Coordinator of Interdistrict School Programs at (860) 236-5621 ext. 233 or email Emily Dunnack (emily_dunnack@chs.org).

Interdistrict School Programs are funded by: The Connecticut State Department of Education’s Interdistrict Cooperative Grant Program through the Capitol Region Education Council, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and supported by in-kind contributions from The Connecticut Historical Society Museum.