Hamden, CT — November 18, 2025 — Arts for Learning Connecticut (AFLCT) is pleased to announce it has received a $1,650 grant from the ScanSource Charitable Foundation in support of its Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools program at F.J. Kingsbury Elementary School in Waterbury during the 2025-26 school year.
Kingsbury Elementary is a Title I school serving one of Waterbury’s most underserved communities, where more than 80% of students come from low-income households and the vast majority identify as Black or Latino. The HOT Schools program provides a whole-school, arts-integrated approach designed to improve student engagement, enrich school culture, and expand teacher practice through creative, hands-on learning experiences.
During the 2025–26 academic year, HOT Schools at Kingsbury will deliver a comprehensive set of activities reaching all 423 students and 50 educators. Programming will include arts-integrated residencies, hands-on workshops, school-wide performances, dedicated professional development for teachers, and participation in AFLCT’s statewide HOT Schools Summer Gathering. These experiences embed creativity across academic content while strengthening relationships, collaboration, and a sense of belonging within the school community.
“Support from the ScanSource Charitable Foundation helps ensure that students at Kingsbury have access to engaging, culturally responsive learning experiences that spark curiosity and connection,” said John-Michael Parker, Executive Director of Arts for Learning Connecticut. “This investment contributes directly to programming that supports both students and educators in a high-need school environment.”
About Higher Order Thinking Schools:
The Higher Order Thinking Schools program is a comprehensive initiative integrating arts learning into the core curriculum to improve school and student outcomes. Its goals are to improve student engagement, enrich school culture, and expand teacher practice. It is built on the belief that arts learning promotes higher-order thinking and develops skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. HOT Schools partner schools are characterized by their focus on Social and Emotional Learning, Culturally Responsive Teaching practice, and school culture, fostering an environment where every student is encouraged to engage actively in their learning. The program has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach to education and its success in enhancing student achievement.