Why are they wearing black at Hall?

I saw Dr. Karen List the other night.  It was at the West Hartford's Cookin' annual fund raiser for the schools at Town Hall.  It is a fun event that I look forward to each year to see friends and meet and greet some of our leaders both elected and educational.  I asked Dr. List how the nine new Principals in town were settling in to their new roles.  We talked about how the West Hartford school system really is great because of the active role parents take in their kids education and how students are given a voice, listened to and respected.  While it might create some 'growing pains' for the new leadership, it is the 'West Hartford way' and a huge reason why our schools are consistently at the top of many state and national performance lists.

This past Wednesday, my Hall High 10th grade daughter was heading off to school wearing nothing but black.  This was a significant change from her normal wardrobe and of course it brought out the question of why.  

She explained that she was supporting Phys Ed teacher (Mr. Colagiovanni) who had just found out that the school would not be hiring him back next year when he very much wanted to be back.  Peeling back the onion a bit, I asked what was going on.  She told me that nearly all of the student body had started to do what they could to save his job.  Other teachers and coaches are also supporting his return.  Graduates are also joining the cause.  While they did not know the reason for the non-renewal of his contract, they know first hand that he is respected and valued member of the school community.

The students had made the decision to wear black to show support for this coach.  They notified the administration in advance and this past Wednesday, several hundred showed up in black.

One student athlete has been mentored by 'Coach C' (as the kids call him) for three years.  This Hall student, working with several others launched a petition and in just 24 hours, 1,251 students signed the petition supporting Colagiovanni.  That is nearly 85% of the students at Hall High.  The kids are not stopping there.  There's talk of attending the April 1st Board of Ed meeting at town hall to voice support in front of Dr. List and Incoming Superintendent Thomas Moore to make them aware of what is happening.  There is even talk of a Town Hall rally supporting the coach.

I've never met Coach Colagiovanni but am impressed beyond words at the students and what they are doing.  West Hartford needs to be proud as well, as these kids have learned the most important thing in life, and that is to stand up respectfully for what you believe in.  West Hartford needs to listen.  The school leadership needs to listen and Hall High School needs to listen.  This is exactly what we ask of our kids...and they've done it with style and class!  A trusted mentor and friend's career hangs in the balance.