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Branford Public Schools celebrated the completion last week of two successful summer programs — feeding both the body and the mind.
About 8,000 meals were served during Branford’s first federally-funded summer meals program which offered free breakfast and lunch for kids for seven weeks.
The summer meals were free to any kids or teens from any economic level. There were no registration forms, no identification required and no questions asked. Kids participating in summer programs sponsored by Parks and Recreation and by the Soundview YMCA were transported by bus to the school cafeterias.
And 90 youngsters were honored for completing the Summer Scholars program which helped them shore up their reading skills.
Hot Dogs & Salad Too
“What would you like my good man?” volunteer Joe Criscuolo asked a hungry youngster. “Feel like a hot dog? How about veggies and some salad?”
The youngster was quick to agree.
Criscuolo, pictured above, estimated he dished up “a couple hundred” meals over the summer. He volunteered five days a week and it was a labor of love.
“It’s nice to see the kids smiling and laughing,” Criscuolo said.
An army of volunteers, along with the experts from Chartwells, the district’s food service provider, served breakfast and lunch Mondays through Fridays from June 30 until Aug. 15. The meals, which were available to kids and teens ages 18 and under, were served at Branford High School and Tisko Elementary School.
Assisting Criscuolo with serving duties last Thursday were three volunteers who typically help out once a week.
“I love watching the kids, some of their tastes are almost gourmet,” said Wendy Cowles, pictured above at left. “We serve the most polite bunch of kids.”
“I enjoy working with the children and we’re filling a need,” said volunteer Johanne Pantani, who was overseeing the deli selections. “I’ve been surprised at how healthy they’re eating.”
“They’re creative in their choices,” said volunteer Margaret McHale. “They know what they like and there’s a good balance.”
The lunch entrees included a variety of kid-favorites, including hot dogs, hamburgers, roast turkey, pasta, sweet and sour chicken, quesadillas, salad, vegetables and fruits.
Although the meals were served by volunteers, the food was prepared by Chartwells employees. “It was great working with the volunteers…It was a huge success,” said Chartwells employee Tracey Brockett.
Diana Stricker Photo
Pictured here are Brockett (at left) and fellow employee Gayle Wirtz.
“Those are the two ladies that made this a success,” Criscuolo said.
It was the first year Branford qualified for the summer meals program funded through the U.S .Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“It was highly successful,” said Branford Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez. He estimated more than 8,000 meals were served.
The USDA bases the establishment of a Summer Food Service Program on several factors, including the number of students who participate in the free and reduced-cost lunch program during the school year. The summer programs helps ensure that kids have nutritious meals when school isn’t in session. There is no cost to the local district.
Hernandez said the number of students who qualify for the free and reduced-cost lunch program has been increasing, and is currently about 23 percent.
Frank Carrano, former chair of the Board of Education (BOE), was in charge of finding volunteers to help serve the meals. He said the fact that Branford qualified for the first time was significant. “It tells a lot about the changing demographics of Branford,” Carrano said.
Hernandez said the summer meals project was a joint effort by the school district, the Community Dining Room, Branford Parks and Recreation, the Soundview YMCA, and volunteers.
“It was truly collaborative,” Hernandez said.
Shoring Up Reading Skills
Diana Stricker Photo
Last Thursday was also a celebration for the last day of the Summer Scholars program. Ninety students, who will be entering second and third grades, attended the three-week sessions and then stayed for the free lunch program. The theme for the reading and writing workshops was “Under the Sea.”
Pictured here is program director Anna Blanchard serving cake to youngsters wearing octopus hats.
“It’s amazing,” Blanchard said as she discussed the program. She said first and second grade students who were having difficulties with reading and writing skills were given the opportunity to attend. “The students were happy to come,” she said.
Blanchard said the program provided an opportunity for individualized attention and working in small groups.
In one classroom, a group of students read a poem about seahorses while town officials and parents listened.
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Pictured here enjoying the poetry are BOE president Michael Krause, First Selectman James Cosgrove and Superintendent Hernandez.
This was the second year for the program, which is funded through the school district’s annual budget. Hernandez said the traditional summer school program was suspended three years ago and replaced by the Summer Scholars program, which targeted a specific need.
Hernandez said the program has been very successful. “I’m exceedingly pleased,” he said.
Teacher Christine Aveni said the kids and the teachers enjoyed the experience. “What I loved about it was that because of the small groups we could really focus on what the kids need,” she said.
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