Backdoor Café Returns To NMS

By Larissa Lytwyn

After operating from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook since 1998, Newtown High School’s Backdoor Café, a culinary enterprise program founded by six alternate education students in 1993, is returning to its original Newtown Middle School location at the end of the month.

The decision was made after a physically handicapped student applying to the program was not able to participate due to St John’s nonhandicap access.

In 1998 the Newtown public school system was “busting at the seams,” recalls St John’s Vestry member Bruce Moulthrop.

While Newtown’s population continues to grow, the construction of Reed Intermediate School has reduced middle school student overflow to once again accommodate the Backdoor Café at its original facility.

Mr Moulthrop remembers the program’s move to St John’s warmly.

Church organist Marilyn Thompson and member Lee Paulsen collaborated with former Newtown Middle School special education teacher Corrine Cox to house the Backdoor Café in St John’s basement.

“Ms Thompson and Ms Cox went to high school together,” Mr Moulthrop said, noting the various interwoven connections between church members and school district employees.

 “The Backdoor Café was kind of my pet project,” Mr Moulthrop explained. “I was a food services director at nursing homes throughout Connecticut for over 30 years. I think the Backdoor Café is a wonderful program.”

Mr Moulthrop currently works as an educational assistant in Newtown Middle School’s technology department.

Newtown High School Special Education Chair Maureen Mas said that the school is still in the process of working out the details concerning the handicapped student’s participation in the program, including when the person will begin participating.

The Backdoor Café, an entirely self-supporting business, provides takeout meals for Newtown public schools faculty and some local business. In addition to instituting life skills that increases a student’s autonomy, the program can also be a springboard for students interested in pursuing a culinary career.

The Backdoor Café can be reached at 426-9535.