Madison Historical Society awarded grants

MADISON — The Madison Historical Society recently received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Connecticut Humanities, according to a statement.

The $5000 NEH CARES Act grant supports the MHS’s core operations, including retention of its essential staff, preservation of collection of artifacts, maintenance of historic properties, and development of online content to create virtual learning opportunities.

The MHS also received $4,999 from CT Humanities to complete post-production work on a short documentary entitled, “Turning the Tide: Madison and COVID-19,” filmed entirely during the statewide shutdown between April 2 and May 16.

Documentaries can evoke strong emotions and deepen our understanding of historical events. Though the footage is unique to Madison, the reality captured in this film is representative of the experiences of small towns across the country and around the globe. Filming as the event unfolded allowed the MHS to document the thoughts and feelings of individuals as they experienced history as it unfolded.

“Turning the Tide” features key members of the community including business owners, front line workers, school administrators, elected officials, civic and religious leaders, and students impacted by this crisis. The society hopes to screen the documentary broadly for others to discover how one shoreline town responded to the pandemic and to highlight the community’s hope for a better future.

“The society is so grateful to receive this critical support from the NEH and CTH. These vital funds have enabled us to reopen our offices to the public and produce new educational materials and programming that furthers our mission,” said MHS Executive Director Jennifer Simpson, in a statement.

Connecticut Humanities, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state’s stories, build community, and enrich lives.

For more information about MHS programming or the pandemic documentary Turning the Tide, call 203-245-4567 or visit www.madisonhistory.com. by dividing the annual income by 12; twice monthly income is computed by dividing annual income by 24; income received every two weeks is calculated by dividing annual income by 26; and weekly income is computed by dividing annual income by 52. All numbers are rounded up to the next whole dollar.

Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals will receive an application packet which they will bring home on the first day of school. To apply for free or reduced-price meals households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the school. Only one application is required per household and an application for free or reduced-price benefits cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.

The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purposes of determining eligibility and for administration and enforcement of the lunch, breakfast. Additionally, all school-aged children in income-eligible households can receive school meal benefits regardless of a child’s immigration status, and the district/school does not release information for immigration-related purposes in the usual course of operating the CNPs. The district may share eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules. This information may also be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

For up to 30 operating days into the new school year, eligibility from the previous year will continue within the same local educational agency. When the carry-over period ends, unless the household is notified that their children are directly certified or the household submits an application that is approved, the children must pay full price for school meals and the school will not send a reminder or a notice of expired eligibility.

No application is required if the district directly certifies a child based on a household member receiving assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Temporary Family Assistance program. All children in these households are eligible for free meal benefits. Households receiving assistance under the SNAP/TFA programs will be notified of their eligibility and their children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the determining official that it chooses to decline benefits. If any children were not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact the district or school to have free meal benefits extended to those children. Households receiving SNAP or TFA benefits for their children should only submit an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by Sept. 18.