Special Breakfast Honors Business-Student Partnerships

By Nancy K. Crevier

Marcia Crocetto, transition coordinator, and Dr Sherry Earle, head of the Newtown High School special education department, welcomed representatives of local businesses that support the Partners In Business program at the school to a special breakfast and awards event, Tuesday, May 8, in the cafetorium of the high school.

“We have dozens of students and businesses paired through this program,” said Ms Crocetto. “The breakfast is our way of thanking the businesses that open up to our students throughout the school year,” she said.

The buffet breakfast bar and made-to-order omelet station were staffed by members of the culinary arts program. As she waited in line with businessmen and women of the community, Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson remarked on the pride the school system takes in the culinary program.

“It is so nice when we have any event like this to have the kids provide the breakfast,” she said. “People in the community are learning they can get a quality breakfast [at our events],” said Dr Robinson.

She chatted with Barbara Tucker of Newtown Savings Bank, while student chefs Ryan Dunnigan (NHS senior) and Nick Barreto (NHS junior) created the custom omelets. Newtown Savings Bank, said Ms Tucker, a customer service representative, had five interns at the main branch this school year.

In addressing the attendees over breakfast, Dr Robinson thanked the businesses for supporting the program. “The experiences you give our students give them real world experience. We are thankful to you,” she said, and added her appreciation for all that the business partners do for the students involved in the program.

Jim Marcucilli of Berkshire Motors in Sandy Hook said that his business has sponsored an intern, on and off, for at least ten years. “They learn to organize, they learn customer skills. They’re great kids,” he said.

Kathy Johnson is coordinator of the Nutmeg Cleaner service offered at Newtown High School and staffed by students. “We are thankful to Nutmeg Cleaners’ owner Andy Paproski for this satellite business. It’s a good program, and so nice that the students get a taste of a mini-business,” she said.

“We have been an intern sponsor since 1975,” said Debra Garre of Drywall Associates in Newtown. “Our interns do bookkeeping, filing, and all kinds of general office work for us. We love it. The kids give us happiness in the office,” she said. “The students just open up to you. It makes you enjoy what you’re doing,” said Ms Garre.

“We have a fabulous group of community support,” said Dr Earle. “It’s heartwarming. We can say ‘This is going to be real life,’ to our students, but it doesn’t have the same impact as living real life,” she said. “Thank you, and I can’t say it enough,” she told the gathering.

Seven-year program students Greg Casella and Megan Bernardi offered thanks to those present at the breakfast, prior to the presentation of awards.

“Thank you. It means a lot. I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for you,” Greg said. “It’s great that I got to work for some of you. I learned a lot,” he said.

“I had lots of opportunities [in this program],” said Megan, who is currently working at Stone River Grille in Sandy Hook. “Thanks to all of you for the support in getting to where I am now,” she said, and added that while certain of her disabilities made some jobs more challenging than others, “My employers were always very understanding.”

Businesses partnering with the high school this year are Big Y, My Place, Tambascio’s, Nutmeg Cleaners, Bee Publishing, Newtown Public Works, MTM, Merry Hill Child Care, Tier One, Church Hill Physical Therapy, Shear Image Salon, Sal e Pepe, Newtown Savings Bank, Drywall Associates, Education Connection, Sunnybrook Farms, Chartwells/NHS, Stone River Grille, Head O’ Meadow School, Town of Newtown, Masonicare at Newtown, C.H. Booth Library, Taunton Press, Spath Bjorklund, Berkshire Motors, Center for Pediatric Medicine, Child Care Associates, Danbury Superior Court, Claris Construction, Caldwell & Walsh, and Salon Michele.

While all of the participating businesses received certificates of appreciation, the Partners In Business program singled out four businesses for honors this year.

Drywall Associates received the Longevity Award. The Alumni Award, for an NHS graduate who opened up her business to an intern, went to Salon Michele. Caldwell & Walsh received the Newcomer Award, and the In-District Award was presented to the Head O’ Meadow preschool program.