Fall is in full swing here at Hall Neighborhood House! Students are back to school, seniors have a new space to spend time, and our team has made amazing progress on new facilities and programs.
I love the energy this season brings—there is a buzz in the hallways and so much enthusiasm for the year ahead. I encourage you to stop by and experience it for yourself! If you’d like to schedule a visit or tour, please contact Nick Sentementes at [email protected] or 203-692-4598. We’d love to show you around!
Thank you for being part of our community, and thank you for investing in so many great opportunities for our neighbors on the East Side of Bridgeport. Together, we are making life better.
New Youth Clubs Starting October 6th
Art Club
We’re committed to supporting students and helping them thrive, both in and out of the classroom. Did you know that one of the best ways to support learning, cognitive development, relaxation, connection, and more is through the arts?
U.S. News and World Report noted that, “Arts education can help kids engage with school and reduce stress, develop social-emotional and interpersonal skills, enrich their experiences, handle constructive criticism, bolster academic achievement, and improve focus.”
That’s why we’re so excited to launch our new Art Club at Hall this fall! Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative! We can’t wait to see what our students create!
STEM Club
We’re also excited to launch our new STEM Club, an extension of our existing programs through the Alan Wallack STEM Learning Center, which already serves over 14,000 students in 28 Bridgeport public schools.
This new club will give students even more opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on, project-based learning. From building drones and tackling engineering challenges to coding, robotics, science experiments, and even rocketry—students will dive deeper into the world of STEM in fun and meaningful ways.
Lower Level Construction Update
Renovations to our lower level are moving along beautifully—and we’re right on track for completion by September 25!
With new HVAC, lighting, and ceiling work already completed, we’re now finishing up the floors. Once it’s done, this renovated space will become the new home for our youth programs, allowing us to expand our childcare offerings.
Mark Your Calendar for Trunk or Treat!
Halloween is just around the corner—and at Hall Neighborhood House, that means it’s time for one of our favorite traditions: Trunk or Treat!
Each year, Hall families come together in our parking lot for an evening of safe, family-friendly fun. Volunteers—many of whom return year after year—decorate the trunks of their cars, put on costumes, and hand out candy. It’s a festive, joyful event that brings together parents, teachers, and student volunteers from the University of Bridgeport, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University.
This year’s Trunk or Treat will take place on Friday, October 24, from 5:00–6:30 p.m., and we’d love for you to be part of the fun! There’s always room for more decorated trunks and more candy to share.
If you’d like to join the celebration by decorating a trunk or donating candy, please reach out to Cheryl Delaney at [email protected] or 203-345-2045 for more information.
Preschool Graduation
In August, we celebrated our 57 amazing preschool graduates (90% of whom spent their first five years at Hall) as they wrapped up their time at Hall and headed off to kindergarten. It was awesome to honor their curiosity, creativity, and kindness, which have brightened our classrooms—and we’re cheering them on as they bring this same energy to kindergarten at their new schools!
Fall is in Full Swing
This fall, we’re thrilled to welcome students back to Hall Neighborhood House for our after-school and HNH LEADS programs!
Our after-school program includes homework help and dinner as well as engaging activities in STEM, art, and cooking as part of the regular curriculum, helping students explore their interests in creative and hands-on ways.
We’re also excited to kick off our HNH LEADS program for the new year. This fall, students will visit both familiar and new college campuses through our series of college open house trips. We’re also proud to introduce a new debate and public speaking component led by an alumnus of the program—giving students a chance to build confidence and communication skills. And to ensure more students can participate meaningfully, we’re adding virtual sessions on Fridays for those who need extra support or more flexible scheduling.
Senior Deck Ribbon Cutting
You’re invited! Please join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of our brand-new senior center deck at Hall Neighborhood House at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 25.
Together, we’ll celebrate the grand opening of our new, welcoming, and accessible outdoor space, which we hope will be a gathering place for relaxation, connection, intergenerational interaction, and wellness programming for our senior community.
Please RSVP for the ceremony to Cheryl Delaney at [email protected].
Free Dental Cleanings Are Back!
Students from the Fones School of Dental Hygiene have returned to Hall for the fall semester and are offering free dental cleanings and X-rays every Monday.
This ongoing partnership allows us to provide the community with high-quality, no-cost dental hygiene services, while giving Fones students valuable hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art dental clinic.
To schedule your dental care, call Dianne Lillicraf at 203-345-2059.
Staff Training Sets the Stage for a Great Year
Before the start of the school year, our staff participated in comprehensive training sessions covering a range of important topics. These trainings ensured that we were fully prepared to provide the highest quality education while keeping the safety and well-being of our children at the center of everything we do.
Expanding Our Early Learning Program
We’re thrilled to share that the State is adding 12 additional infant/toddler slots (for children ages birth to 2 years) to our Early Learning Program this October/November. This expansion is a wonderful recognition of the quality care we provide—and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to welcome more children and support even more families in our community.