Rep. Bolinsky Celebrates Reading with Newtown Students

NEWTOWN – On Monday morning, State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) visited Head o’ Meadow School in Newtown as a guest in the school’s Mystery Reader program celebration.

During his visit, Rep. Bolinsky read "Carl and the Meaning of Life" with Mrs. Kuligowski’s kindergarten class.  The book was written by Connecticut author Deborah Freedman and is beautifully illustrated. During, and after reading, he spoke with the bright-eyed, curious class members about the book’s theme of kindness, connectivity and how even the smallest contributions to our community can make a big difference in bettering the lives of so many. “I’ve always believed that a good book has a way of bringing people together.  A story like Carl’s can, in the purest way, teach us how, together, we all contribute to making our town a flourishing, growing, healthy and wonderful place by just doing our parts.  I really think the class came away with an understanding that even the smallest things cannot be taken for granted.  It was a very cool morning!” said Rep. Bolinsky.

Bolinsky’s strong connections to Head ‘o Meadow began nearly 26 years ago, when his daughter and son attended the neighborhood school, at which he also spent 11-years as a Cub Scout Pack 470 Leader, its Cubmaster, and then, its Pack Committee Chair. As Cubmaster, Pack 470 grew to become Newtown’s single largest Scouting unit at the time, serving 106 Head o’ Meadow families.

In his 14th year as Newtown’s State Representative, Bolinsky concluded with a reflection. “Sharing a story with these students—especially in a school that means so much to my own family—made the experience even more special.  Reading to children just sparks their imaginations, opening the door to the real power of kindness and connection.  I’m so thankful to the teachers and staff at Head O’Meadow for creating an environment where that love of learning grows every day.”