School Naming

The School Facilities Naming Committee Ballot

This form is used for individuals to input their qualifications and to vote regarding the proposed school property naming listed below.

A group of New Haven Public School stakeholders has asked that the Media Center at Roberto Clemente at  Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy For Global Awareness  be named in honor of Hazel B. Pappas.

If a major portion of a school building or school grounds (media center, auditorium gymnasium, field, etc.) is proposed to be named after an individual, that person shall have attained local or national prominence via significant contributions in any field of endeavor. Such contributions or the significance of their place in history shall be clearly established beyond the generation of the contribution. An individual so recognized shall no longer be active in his/her career. Further, the individual for whom a portion of a school building or school grounds is to be named must be shown to have broad-based, long-term impact to the school district community.

Below is a Bio Sketch of Hazel B. Pappas for your review.

Hazel Pappas was an active presence in the New Haven Public Schools. She worked as a matron in the media center at Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy and was instrumental in mobilizing parents in Title One schools throughout the city. For many years, she was a regular attendee at New Haven Board of Education meetings, and she was known as a frequent contributor to discussions about how to provide the best education for the city’s young people.

Ms. Pappas was an activist in schools and in the community. She was deeply involved in city, state, and national organizations that sought to enhance public education.

To honor Ms. Pappas’ life of service to our schools and our community, it is proposed that the media center at Roberto Clemente be named for her.

Eligibility to Vote:

  • Currently working in the New Haven district or a district retiree.
  • 18 years or older

Please follow the required guidelines below and provide all the required information to submit your nomination.

Thank you for participating.

Policy Service
The Connecticut Reference Manual
of School Board Policies, Regulations, and Bylaws

7551

New Construction

Naming Facilities

The naming of school buildings, major portions of buildings, or school grounds is the responsibility of the Board of Education.  In fulfilling this responsibility, the Board will make every effort to respect community preferences.  Such names should be clearly identifying, widely known, and recognized.

It is the policy of the Board to name school buildings as close as possible to the time construction begins in order to lessen the confusion about the new schools.

When naming new buildings, major portions of buildings, or school grounds, the Board shall formally identify the need for a naming process for the identified school locations, as well as criteria it wishes to be considered in the process.

When naming a school building, major portions of school buildings, or school grounds the Board shall direct the Superintendent to establish a committee, subject to Board approval, comprised of the Superintendent or designee, the building Principal, faculty member, parents, community members, and, if appropriate, students to consider name recommendations for consideration by the Board.  Opportunities for public input must be made available prior to the committee’s recommendation to the Board.  Such opportunities for public input must be publicly announced in newspapers and on the District website.

When naming new buildings, the committee shall have representation by the community members that is representative of the entire school district.  The committee shall propose a list of names to the school board of not more than five (5) names for Board consideration.

If a major portion of a school building or school grounds (media center, auditorium gymnasium, field, etc.) is proposed to be named after an individual, that person shall have attained local or national prominence via significant contributions in any field of endeavor.  Such contributions or the significance of their place in history shall be clearly established beyond the generation of the contribution.  Individuals so recognized shall no longer be active in his/her career.  Further, the individual for whom a portion of a school building or school grounds is to be named must be shown to have broad-based, long-term impact to the school district community.

Collections of works, memorials, or other major gifts to the school district may be acknowledged and named by individual schools, subject to the district’s policy and procedures for accepting donations.  Prior to accepting such donations and naming, a plan for maintenance and upkeep must be identified and presented to the school Board.

The Board retains the right to make final determination in the naming of buildings, major portions of school buildings, or school grounds.  This policy not withstanding, it is the intent of the Board that naming of portions of the building and school grounds occur infrequently and on a limited based.

Required information to submit nomination

Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy For Global Awareness Media Center naming in honor of Hazel B. Pappas