HAMDEN, CT — July 29, 2025 — Arts for Learning CT (AFLCT) is proud to announce a grant award of $3,000 from the Linford & Mildred White Charitable Fund, administered by Bank of America, to support the implementation of Higher Order Thinking Schools programming at F. J. Kingsbury Elementary School in Waterbury.
This funding will help bring rich, arts-integrated learning opportunities to Kingsbury students, enhancing academic engagement, social-emotional development, and creative thinking through the arts. The Higher Order Thinking Schools model, rooted in decades of educational research, emphasizes student voice, teacher leadership, and strong school culture, all powered by professional artists collaborating with educators in the classroom.
Through this partnership, AFLCT and Kingsbury Elementary will continue their shared mission to foster deeper learning and stronger communities through creativity, collaboration, and cultural responsiveness.
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.
About the Linford and Mildred White Foundation
The Linford & Mildred White Charitable Fund was established in 1956 to support and promote quality educational, human services, and health care programming for underserved populations within the city of Waterbury, Connecticut, and its surrounding communities. For more information about this organization, please visit https://www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic/foundation/?fnId=74