NHS Students Work Across Newtown

By Eliza Hallabeck

A number of Newtown High School students have been busy working this summer at town and school agencies thanks to a grant from the Northwest Regional Workforce Development Board of Waterbury that provides funding for a Summer Youth Employment Program.

Peg Ragaini and Mimi Riccio apply for the grant each year and coordinate the program for the students. This summer the grant offered 16 students the chance to work 17 hours a week for six weeks starting in July for nonprofit town or school agencies.

Ms Ragaini said the program offers students the chance to develop workforce skills that will be valuable in the students’ future professional careers.

The students’ summer work ended on Friday, August 19, and Ms Ragaini said the program is, “Outstanding. It was our best summer yet.”

Ms Ragaini said students enjoy receiving the paychecks for their work, and, “It is a great opportunity for students to make some money over the summer.”

Newtown Parks and Recreation Assistant Director of Parks Carl Samuelson responded favorably regarding the summer work program.

“Not only does the work program provide needed labor forces, but it certainly provides the individuals with an opportunity to experience a real world diverse working environment,” Mr Samuelson wrote regarding the program. “I would hope that the work experience will teach the individuals some lifelong skills or even steer them towards a career path that may utilize these skills.”

Ms Ragaini said students participating in the program must be attending the high school to be eligible.

NHS Head Custodian Paul J. Devine also had some remarks about the program.

“The Summer Youth Employment Program has been a great aid to the summer cleaning program at Newtown High School. The addition of these young workers has allowed us to accomplish more this summer as we prepare the high school for the coming new school year,” said Mr Devine.

The program, Mr Devine also said, gives students a learning experience of what it is like to work.

At the Newtown Public School central office secretary Bev Schaedler said the summer months are used to prepare for the coming school year. Having the additional work provided through the Summer Youth Employment Program helped the central office staff to sort files, order supplies, and more.

Students also worked with the Newtown Police Department, the Land Use Agency, the assessor’s office, and at the maintenance garage at Dickinson Park this summer.

“I don’t have an unhappy students this summer,” said Ms Ragaini. “Everybody is telling me they have really enjoyed the people they worked with in the different departments.”