Brian Kaskel Honored at Capitol for Parental Involvement in Student Education

Bielefield Elementary School father of two and recent candidate for Middletown's education board Brian Kaskel was among 20 parents from across the state honored at the State Capitol Nov. 21 with a Parental Involvement Recognition Award.

Kaskel just completed his second year as an elected parent member of the Bielefield Governance Council and considers himself the committee's advocate to the education board. He was a parent member of the BOE’s budget committee. 

He never expected to be lauded for the work that comes naturally to this 36-year-old. 

"My initial reaction, besides trying to figure out what it was, was shock. I didn't think what I did for the schools was anything out of the ordinary and in my opinion wasn't any more or less than important that what the other parents I work with do," Kaskel says.

He has advice for other parents who really want to help out in their child's school but whose schedules are jam-packed. 

"The easiest thing a Middletown parent can do, if they want to get more involved, is to volunteer time in the school," Kaskel says. "Ask the teachers and/or school principals what they can do before, during or after school that will help the school community. It might be the PTA, reading or mentoring. 

"We also need more parents to attend Board of Education meetings and speak out for what their family needs are in relation to the schools," Kaskel says.

The Middletown Federation of Teachers Election Committee endorsed Kaskel last month for his "strong financial background and parent advocacy." 

This year’s awards were presented by the State Education Resource Center and CT Parent Information and Resource Center, with the Connecticut Commission on Children. 

Parents receiving the award have shown active involvement in their child’s or children’s school or community; support of their local school and contributions to high‐quality education for all children; evidence of their ability to make a difference in their local school or community; and dedication and advocacy to ensure equity for all parents and their children.

“These parents aren’t there just for their own kids. They want to lift the whole school or community,” said Dr. David R. Grice, an education consultant at SERC and CT PIRC who coordinates the awards program.

Ingrid M. Canady is an assistant director at SERC who oversees CT PIRC and partnerships for equity. “They’re creating an environment where parents have a big role in the school’s success. That really matters,” Canady said. “We know how important family involvement is when you want the best education for everyone.”

The awardees are: Jeff Coppola and Ken and Cheryl Pawlak of Ansonia; Heather Maguire and Rebecca Parry of Avon; Karen Perham‐Lippman of Berlin, for her work with Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hartford; Jillian Miner of Coventry; Michelle DeGagne of Granby; Maureen Suzio of Meriden; Marilyn Dunkley, Brian Kaskel, and Paula Mazo of Middletown; Lorin DeLeo and Bruce and Avenya Buzelle of Milford; Wendy Robertson of New Britain; Heather Hemphill of Plymouth; Emily Maxfield of Portland; Dawn Krzykowski of Waterbury; and Rita Dikegoros of Wethersfield, for her involvement with the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. 

• Marilyn Dunkley Earns Parental Involvement Recognition Award

Eleven parents and volunteers were honored in 2012, the first year of the awards. The awards mark National Parental Involvement Day, an annual event launched by Project Appleseed, a St. Louis‐based educational advocacy group that promotes parental involvement. 

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