Mayor Has 'Social' Chat Via Zoom With Momauguin​ 3rd, 4th Graders

EAST HAVEN, CT — It was back to school for Mayor Joseph A Carfora as he met and chatted with, via Zoom, third and fourth-graders from Momauguin School Wednesday.

Carfora said the time spent with the students was both fun and inspiring.

“They were prepared with questions, and we talked about a lot of things from their favorite animals to the importance of wearing a mask,” he said adding that spotted pigs and penguins are some kids’ favorite animals.

And he was moved when students “expressed their sympathy over the recent passing of my father.”

“They said, ‘We’re sorry about the passing of your father’ and it meant so much to me,” he said.
Carfora’s father passed away days before Christmas.

And he noted how impressed he was that “students at elementary school level are aware of what's going on in their community and even with their mayor.”

“It was just really nice,” he said. “Students came up to the camera with their questions, one student even asked me how old I was.”

Momaguin teacher Mrs. Robinson told Carfora that as “many students are strictly social distancing at home and when you are doing so, socializing with others out of their own home is lacking, and she wanted to make sure all her students know that people care for them and want to hear from them.”

Carfora said he cares, very much. And said he hopes Wednesday’s social chat with kids is something he’d like to repeat. Often.

“I'm hopeful this is the first of many chats, even with other schools that are interested. “We talked about plans for the town that would interest students of their age. They were all really excited and I look forward to hearing from them again,” he said. “Taking fifteen minutes out of my schedule to talk to students personally is always something that I will make time to arrange.”

Carfora also said that there are current talks on having East Haven Assistant Director of Administration Michelle Benivegna to speak with female students about being a woman in town government and how to encourage the empowerment of female students.”

“It will be a great discussion about women and their achievements and important roles,” he said. Carfora said Benivegna will be working with 2020 Teacher of the Year Mrs. Franco- Spano to bring their idea to fruition.

“We always welcome these meaningful events in the mayor’s office,” he said.