Senators Ryan Fazio and Tony Hwang Attend Catholic Academy of Bridgeport Legislative Session to Discuss Opportunities for Students and Parochial Schools
January 17, 2025

Bridgeport, CT – Today, Senator Ryan Fazio (R—Greenwich) and Senator Tony Hwang (R—Fairfield) participated in a legislative session with the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport at St. Ann Academy. The session was focused on discussing ways to enhance and strengthen the resources available to the Academy, ensuring that students have access to the support and opportunities they need to succeed. By collaborating with local stakeholders, the goal of the meeting was to explore potential legislative solutions to further empower parochial schools in providing a high-quality education to their students.
Senator Ryan Fazio stated, “School choice and giving every kid, no matter their background, the ability to attend a great school should be a priority of the state of Connecticut. A student’s zip code should not determine their destiny. Parochial schools like the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport provide hope and opportunity to kids and families who deserve it but might otherwise not have it. We need to support our great schools as best we can. That’s why I introduced legislation this year to deliver a tax credit for scholarship donations, promote school choice in other ways, and give students the best paths forward so they can flourish. Every child deserves a great education, and every elected official should support schools like Catholic Academy of Bridgeport who delivers that.”
Senator Tony Hwang remarked, “It was so great to hear from Bishop Caggiano and other stakeholders to learn their insights into what these students need. The continued development and support of our parochial schools’ mirrors what is necessary to support our public schools. Now is the time to invest resources in education across the board to build a better future for all our students in the state. School choices are vital to student success, and the Catholic Academy is doing exceptional work maintaining excellence while also providing plenty of extra-curricular activities where students can continue their learning beyond the classroom. We are looking at enhancements in innovation, technology, and ways to engage students to keep them interested in learning, particularly in a way that best suits their learning needs. I am grateful to have such good partners and advocates to work with on this issue.”
Bishop Frank Caggiano shared, “Today we gathered with our friends in the legislature to explore ways we can strengthen the mission of the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport, and other Catholic schools, in partnership with our public schools. Our goal is to help all our children to grow in wisdom and grace to unlock their gifts and talents and all their potential. I am hoping we can create that collaboration.”
Angela Pohlen, Executive Director of the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport, emphasized, “We recognize that we need to be able to provide kids with as many opportunities and experiences as possible. Many of the families are multi-job families and don’t always have the time or opportunity to do other things—our STEM Program is strong, our after-school arts program is very strong, we have every conceivable after-school activity between chess and cheerleading and athletics included as well. They do science experiments out on Long Island Sound; we really want to get them out of the classroom and have these experiences. We want the kids to know how many options are available to them.”
John Kennedy, Board Member of the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport, added, “We are here to help kids; help kids have a better education where they need it in areas where the public schools are struggling. We are here to provide parents with resources and legislation to help them get there with a better product than perhaps they currently have. SB 122 would provide tax credits for people to provide donations for scholarships because non-public schools get very little money from the state, so this may help raise more money to provide the better product that we provide.”