By Eliza Hallabeck

The Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) presented Newtown 106th District Representative Christopher Lyddy with its first annual "Tip of the Cap" award during a ceremony held at Hawley Elementary School on Tuesday, August 24. 

"Rep Lyddy really went to bat for public education reform during the last legislative session," said ConnCAN CEO Alex Johnston. Adding later he said, "We have been very impressed with his work as a freshman in the House."

A group gathered in Hawley's multipurpose room to see Mr Johnston present Rep Lyddy with the award, and hear both the state representative and superintendent of schools speak.

"This was a successful year where several education reforms become law. I've very proud to be recognized as just one among many who share the success of our hard work," said Rep Lyddy. "From lowering the achievement gap and strengthening high school graduation requirements, to special education reforms and certification of Applied Behavioral Analysis therapists in schools, this has been a good year. I thank everyone who helped to turn these ideas into law."

Dr Robinson gave an introductory speech for the ceremony, and said Rep Lyddy always calls her back quickly when she needs him. She welcomed all to Hawley for, and said Rep Lyddy honors Newtown by receiving the award.

"I think one of the reasons we created this award," said Mr Johnston, "is when it comes time to make policies in Hartford, actually doing the things that are required to ensure that we do have great public schools for every child, are actually a lot harder than it might seem."

Changing policies at the state level is the way to ensure great schools thrive across the state, according to Mr Johnston.

"We have some communities with outstanding public schools, were kids have the world open to them," said Mr Johnston. "Just by the virtue of going through a (kindergarten through 12th grade system) they can get out and go on to do whatever their full potential was. Yet we have other communities where that really isn't the case, and it is so easy for us to forget about that."

Every community has adversity, Mr Johnston said, and through the work of multiple legislators, the concept of grade schools for all was tackled head on.

The past year was a big year for education legislation, according to Mr Johnston, and Rep Lyddy was one of the legislators who worked during critical moments to make those changes.

"It gives me very great pleasure to recognize (Rep Lyddy) for his leadership in this past legislative session," said Mr Johnston, before presenting Rep Lyddy with ConnCAN's Tip of the Hat award.

Rep Lyddy thanked Mr Johnston and everyone working with ConnCAN for their efforts in the field of education during a brief speech during the presentation. He also thanked Dr Robinson for her leadership in Newtown.

"Working with all these people from across the state of Connecticut has been an absolutely incredible experience," said the self proclaimed "proud graduate" of Hawley. "I have been so proud, not of the work that I have been able to accomplish, not of the work that my colleagues have been able to accomplish, but more importantly the work that teachers at the local level are doing."

Newtown has a long standing mission to inspire children to learn, he said, and it is part of Newtown's responsibility, along with other communities, he said, to help promote a high level of education across the state.

ConnCAN, Rep Lyddy said, has been an incredible advocate for public education.

"I just want to thank ConnCAN for their work," said Rep Lyddy.

According to ConnCAN, the organization was founded in January 2005 by education entrepreneurs from across the state who shared a common fundamental belief that closing the achievement gap requires not only innovative education models, but also issue–based advocacy that secures systemic change. ConnCAN has offices in New Haven and Hartford and is hailed as one of the nation's leading state-level education reform organizations.

For more information on ConnCAN go to www.conncan.org.