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Work To Learn Program Filled with Success Stories
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"Our goal is to prepare every kid for not only graduation but life after high school," said Jay Morgan, WTL coordinator. "So many people immediately discount people with physical disabilities and underestimate what they can do. We try to give them functional life skills so they will be prepared when they leave Pinkerton."

The program is in its 18th year, according to Morgan, and over the years, staff have learned from some of their mistakes. The program has 25 students this semester who, from September to June, will work a combined 8,000 hours in a variety of jobs throughout the community at 25 to 30 different job sites. The jobs can include anything from working at Shaw's and bagging groceries, returning carts and helping restock items, to working at Build-a-Bear and playing with children. One rule is that students are not allowed to work with knives or other sharp objects because of safety and liability issues.

Each student brings his/her own talents and disabilities, and with that come challenges to find work that is the right fit. Morgan said some of the students have obvious physical disabilities, while others may have emotional ones and still others may be autistic.

Before sending the students into the community, Morgan has them begin with what he calls pre-work to learn, which are jobs done around campus. These include working in the school library or dining hall. While on campus, some of the strengths and weaknesses of a student can be identified, so they can be addressed before the youth is sent to the job site.

Morgan said the program is successful for two reasons: the good will of local businesses and the strength and compassion of the aides or one-on-one coaches.

There would be no work if local businesses wouldn't allow the students into their offices and kitchens. Morgan said the businesses realize they are giving kids what is perhaps their first job opportunity, and they are doing that for no other benefit than a good will gesture.

"We are very fortunate to have businesses who understand these opportunities will help these kids develop," said Morgan.

The students work for about two-hour blocks during the morning in Derry, Londonderry and Manchester. They may work more than one job per week. Morgan said routine is a major issue for many students and over the years, he found that if they continued working the same job every day, it didn't challenge them because they could fall into a new routine. That is why they work on a rotating basis. Donald Emerson, for example, works a few days at Barka Elementary School and another two days at TJ Maxx.

Emerson said the program has given him a lot of confidence and a desire to work hard to succeed.

Morgan said Emerson is one of the true stars of the program, helping and keeping a protective eye on other students with disabilities. His aide, Keith Pearson, said Emerson needed a push and then flourished.

This is not always the case. That is why the aides, described by Morgan as the driving force of the program, are so important. They go to the job site with the students and often reinforce and work with the students on everything from the social aspect of being with co-workers to the personal part of dressing for success.

"Most of us know how to go to an adult and ask a question," Pearson said. "But for many of the students, that is very difficult. We build off each little success."

Success is found in perseverance and Pearson admitted that every day is not a step forward, making it vital for the aides to have an abundant reserve of patience and understanding.

Aide Joe Crawford spent his working career in the railroad industry. His daughter went through the Work to Learn program years ago, and when he retired, Crawford could see no better way to spend his retirement then helping out as an aide.

"It's an awesome opportunity for kids to engage in the real world without the scary stuff," said Ken Neu, another job coach.

Morgan said Neu realized that while the students were getting work experience, they also needed other exposure to real life issues. So once a week, Neu teaches about issues like renting an apartment and keeping a budget.

When Stella, who is a retired business manager, first saw that Joyle had trouble standing for long periods of time, he approached Morgan and said he would like to start a physical exercise program after school. Building off the success he gained at Applebee's, Joyle began to work out on a treadmill. At the beginning, a few steps would leave him tired, but now he can move for 20 minutes on the treadmill.

"Once the momentum of success starts rolling, these kids can really do some special things," Stella said.

Morgan said for many, the WTL program is the highlight of their day, and there are rarely major discipline issues. As many of the students develop at a slower rate than their peers, they can be in school up until they are 21 years old. As a general rule, students start WTL in their third year at Pinkerton, which gives them plenty of time to get acclimated to the school and complete coursework.

The job coaches, along with Morgan, routinely fill out evaluations to monitor progress, which is documented in the students' Individual Education Plan (IEP). However, over the years, Morgan realized they needed more input from the students. When the students return to school after work, they are asked to keep a reflective journal about the experience.

Morgan said it is crucial to teach the students as much as possible while they have access to the resources of the school. He noted that once they graduate and work with state agencies, the process can be more difficult.

"We want to be looking beyond their time on campus," Pearson said.

Many students use their WTL experience to secure jobs after graduation. And although students leave and new ones enter, the bond between students and job coaches can make it difficult to say goodbye, even when the coaches know they've prepared their students well.

"They say you're not supposed to get attached to your student," Stella said. "Well, when Brandon graduates and moves on, that is going to be a really tough day for me. But I am already looking forward to the next student I can help."

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Sisters See Problem and Work to Solve It with Marshland Clean-up
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It was tiring work but they said it was truly valuable.

"Wetlands not only serve as crucial habitat for wildlife like turtles, waterfowl, songbirds and snakes, of which we saw several, but also help offset pollution caused by leaking cars, salt on roads, and pesticides and herbicides," said Jennifer Books. "If we really care about our land, there is a lot we can do to show this and help preserve and protect the little that we still have left.

"First, we can set a positive example to our children, by not throwing trash outside our car windows and educating them on the value of open space," Books continued. "Second, we can properly dispose of recyclable 'trash' by recycling it or better yet, using reusable items such as cloth bags instead or either paper or plastic when shopping. And finally, we can show that we care about the appearance and value of our town land by actively participating in a roadside clean-ups at least once a year."

Books said residents don't have to wait for the official roadside clean-up day. Anyone can do this at any time of the year by contacting the Derry transfer station. The staff there will provide bags for trash collection and will pick up those bags once their location and number is given.

She said residents must remember the town should not be treated as a dump.

The sisters did not get paid for their efforts, although Jennifer Books did say they found $6, but they felt rewarded in knowing the marshland looked better. Unfortunately, the two sisters will be moving out of town soon. They hope a new batch of residents will answer the call of civic duty.

"As you will see, a few people can make a difference for a place," Jennifer Books said. "Will you be one of the few next time?" back to main news page

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Milz Victory Holds After Recount for District 2 Council Seat
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Following the initial results on March 9, Cardon said if after the re-count he still lost by one vote, that would be it.

"The recount is the recount," Cardon said. "And that would be the election."

Milz was confident the vote would stand up even under a recount.

"I think they realized how close this race was going to be as they counted the votes," Milz said on March 10. "I think they counted them five times before releasing the results. They wanted to be sure it could stand up."

Moderator Margaret Ives said there were 29 blanks in District # 2, which means 29 people did not vote for a councilor from their district. There were also three over-votes, which means three people voted for more than one candidate. These votes were not counted.

Ten counters took part, including former District #2 Town Councilor Brent Carney, who sorted through and counted the votes at the recount. Only ballots from District 2 were recounted, as they were the only voters to vote in this race. About a dozen people were present at the recount.

As the recount was held on Monday, neither Milz nor Cardon were present. State Representative Frank Sapareto, R-Londonderry was in attendance on behalf of Cardon, and David McPherson represented Milz.

However, after his victory was announced, Milz arrived at the Derry Municipal Center and was sworn in by Neale. Milz said he was too nervous to attend the recount.

"The last few days have been some of the toughest of my life," Milz said. "I haven't been able to focus at all. I've had several television sets on, I've been trying to read three or four books at once. All my projects around the house have gone out the window. But I am happy with the result."

Speaking on behalf of Cardon, Sapareto said he was disappointed but congratulated Milz on the victory.

The first Town Council meeting with the new councilors was held Tuesday, March 16, after the Nutfield News press deadline.

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	Work To Learn Program Filled with Success Stories continued from main page "Our goal is to prepare every kid for not only graduation but life after high school," said Jay Morgan, WTL coordinator. "So many people immediately discount people with physical disabilities and underestimate what they can do. We try to give them functional life skills so they will be prepared when they leave Pinkerton." The program is in its 18th year, according to Morgan, and over the years, staff have learned from some of their mistakes. The program has 25 students this semester who, from September to June, will work a combined 8,000 hours in a variety of jobs throughout the community at 25 to 30 different job sites. The jobs can include anything from working at Shaw's and bagging groceries, returning carts and helping restock items, to working at Build-a-Bear and playing with children. One rule is that students are not allowed to work with knives or other sharp objects because of safety and liability issues. Each student brings his/her own talents and disabilities, and with that come challenges to find work that is the right fit. Morgan said some of the students have obvious physical disabilities, while others may have emotional ones and still others may be autistic. Before sending the students into the community, Morgan has them begin with what he calls pre-work to learn, which are jobs done around campus. These include working in the school library or dining hall. While on campus, some of the strengths and weaknesses of a student can be identified, so they can be addressed before the youth is sent to the job site. Morgan said the program is successful for two reasons: the good will of local businesses and the strength and compassion of the aides or one-on-one coaches. There would be no work if local businesses wouldn't allow the students into their offices and kitchens. Morgan said the businesses realize they are giving kids what is perhaps their first job opportunity, and they are doing that for no other benefit than a good will gesture. "We are very fortunate to have businesses who understand these opportunities will help these kids develop," said Morgan. The students work for about two-hour blocks during the morning in Derry, Londonderry and Manchester. They may work more than one job per week. Morgan said routine is a major issue for many students and over the years, he found that if they continued working the same job every day, it didn't challenge them because they could fall into a new routine. That is why they work on a rotating basis. Donald Emerson, for example, works a few days at Barka Elementary School and another two days at TJ Maxx. Emerson said the program has given him a lot of confidence and a desire to work hard to succeed. Morgan said Emerson is one of the true stars of the program, helping and keeping a protective eye on other students with disabilities. His aide, Keith Pearson, said Emerson needed a push and then flourished. This is not always the case. That is why the aides, described by Morgan as the driving force of the program, are so important. They go to the job site with the students and often reinforce and work with the students on everything from the social aspect of being with co-workers to the personal part of dressing for success. "Most of us know how to go to an adult and ask a question," Pearson said. "But for many of the students, that is very difficult. We build off each little success." Success is found in perseverance and Pearson admitted that every day is not a step forward, making it vital for the aides to have an abundant reserve of patience and understanding. Aide Joe Crawford spent his working career in the railroad industry. His daughter went through the Work to Learn program years ago, and when he retired, Crawford could see no better way to spend his retirement then helping out as an aide. "It's an awesome opportunity for kids to engage in the real world without the scary stuff," said Ken Neu, another job coach. Morgan said Neu realized that while the students were getting work experience, they also needed other exposure to real life issues. So once a week, Neu teaches about issues like renting an apartment and keeping a budget. When Stella, who is a retired business manager, first saw that Joyle had trouble standing for long periods of time, he approached Morgan and said he would like to start a physical exercise program after school. Building off the success he gained at Applebee's, Joyle began to work out on a treadmill. At the beginning, a few steps would leave him tired, but now he can move for 20 minutes on the treadmill. "Once the momentum of success starts rolling, these kids can really do some special things," Stella said. Morgan said for many, the WTL program is the highlight of their day, and there are rarely major discipline issues. As many of the students develop at a slower rate than their peers, they can be in school up until they are 21 years old. As a general rule, students start WTL in their third year at Pinkerton, which gives them plenty of time to get acclimated to the school and complete coursework. The job coaches, along with Morgan, routinely fill out evaluations to monitor progress, which is documented in the students' Individual Education Plan (IEP). However, over the years, Morgan realized they needed more input from the students. When the students return to school after work, they are asked to keep a reflective journal about the experience. Morgan said it is crucial to teach the students as much as possible while they have access to the resources of the school. He noted that once they graduate and work with state agencies, the process can be more difficult. "We want to be looking beyond their time on campus," Pearson said. Many students use their WTL experience to secure jobs after graduation. And although students leave and new ones enter, the bond between students and job coaches can make it difficult to say goodbye, even when the coaches know they've prepared their students well. "They say you're not supposed to get attached to your student," Stella said. "Well, when Brandon graduates and moves on, that is going to be a really tough day for me. But I am already looking forward to the next student I can help." back to main news page _____________________ Sisters See Problem and Work to Solve It with Marshland Clean-up continued from main page It was tiring work but they said it was truly valuable. "Wetlands not only serve as crucial habitat for wildlife like turtles, waterfowl, songbirds and snakes, of which we saw several, but also help offset pollution caused by leaking cars, salt on roads, and pesticides and herbicides," said Jennifer Books. "If we really care about our land, there is a lot we can do to show this and help preserve and protect the little that we still have left. "First, we can set a positive example to our children, by not throwing trash outside our car windows and educating them on the value of open space," Books continued. "Second, we can properly dispose of recyclable 'trash' by recycling it or better yet, using reusable items such as cloth bags instead or either paper or plastic when shopping. And finally, we can show that we care about the appearance and value of our town land by actively participating in a roadside clean-ups at least once a year." Books said residents don't have to wait for the official roadside clean-up day. Anyone can do this at any time of the year by contacting the Derry transfer station. The staff there will provide bags for trash collection and will pick up those bags once their location and number is given. She said residents must remember the town should not be treated as a dump. The sisters did not get paid for their efforts, although Jennifer Books did say they found $6, but they felt rewarded in knowing the marshland looked better. Unfortunately, the two sisters will be moving out of town soon. They hope a new batch of residents will answer the call of civic duty. "As you will see, a few people can make a difference for a place," Jennifer Books said. "Will you be one of the few next time?" back to main news page _____________________ Milz Victory Holds After Recount for District 2 Council Seat continued from main page Following the initial results on March 9, Cardon said if after the re-count he still lost by one vote, that would be it. "The recount is the recount," Cardon said. "And that would be the election." Milz was confident the vote would stand up even under a recount. "I think they realized how close this race was going to be as they counted the votes," Milz said on March 10. "I think they counted them five times before releasing the results. They wanted to be sure it could stand up." Moderator Margaret Ives said there were 29 blanks in District # 2, which means 29 people did not vote for a councilor from their district. There were also three over-votes, which means three people voted for more than one candidate. These votes were not counted. Ten counters took part, including former District #2 Town Councilor Brent Carney, who sorted through and counted the votes at the recount. Only ballots from District 2 were recounted, as they were the only voters to vote in this race. About a dozen people were present at the recount. As the recount was held on Monday, neither Milz nor Cardon were present. State Representative Frank Sapareto, R-Londonderry was in attendance on behalf of Cardon, and David McPherson represented Milz. However, after his victory was announced, Milz arrived at the Derry Municipal Center and was sworn in by Neale. Milz said he was too nervous to attend the recount. "The last few days have been some of the toughest of my life," Milz said. "I haven't been able to focus at all. I've had several television sets on, I've been trying to read three or four books at once. All my projects around the house have gone out the window. But I am happy with the result." Speaking on behalf of Cardon, Sapareto said he was disappointed but congratulated Milz on the victory. The first Town Council meeting with the new councilors was held Tuesday, March 16, after the Nutfield News press deadline. back to main news page _____________________
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