BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer
DAVE BENJAMIN Kerry Postestivo (center) was one of the students who thanked their employers during a special breakfast held at Freehold High School. Joining Kerry were Mimi Hawkins (l) and Katie Altenburg of Wegmans, Manalapan. The employers participate in a program that gives students a chance to experience the world of work and receive hands-on experience at different tasks. FREEHOLD — Special needs students in the Freehold Regional High School District recently hosted a breakfast to show their appreciation for their employers.
The Employers Appreciation Break-fast was held in the 5-Star Cafe at Freehold High School. The breakfast was the students’ way of saying thank you to local employers who participate in a work sampling program that affords special needs students the opportunity to experience the world of work and receive hands-on experience at different tasks.
By sampling different work responsibilities, the students are able to discover the types of work they enjoy and what their strengths are.
“True educational programs have no value unless you have a connection with the community,” said FRHSD Superin-tendent of Schools James Wasser. “For us, what is important is the life experience you give to young people. They can connect what they are learning in school to what the real world is about.”
Wasser said the program would not be successful without the support extended by the local businesses.
“We need that connection,” he said. “The students are learning to deal with the public and the business world, and they may wind up being employed in your business.”
Wasser told the students that their relationship with other people is highly important. He thanked the parents, faculty members and employers who support the program.
“This is a special day for us,” said Debbie Giles-Perez, FRHSD supervisor of special education. “This is our opportunity to thank the employers for opening up your doors to our students. If it weren’t for you, they would never experience what they are experiencing. Now, and when they go on to graduate, they also [are able to] find a job and they have been very successful. FRHSD sincerely thanks you for doing that.”
Job coaches Beverly Greenberg, Christine Baier-Kenduck and Helen Ihde distributed certificates to each student in the program.
“Thank you for letting our students use your work place as our laboratory for learning,” Greenberg said to the employers. “Thank you for giving our students the opportunity to educate the community on the abilities of our special needs students. We appreciate [that you] step outside the box for this program.”
Participating employers include Applebee’s, Manalapan; Boston Market, Howell and Eatontown; Bloomfield Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan; CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township; Chartwell Food Service, Manalapan; CVS, Marlboro; New Jersey Department of Developmental Disabil-ities; Drug Fair, Freehold Township.
And, Foodtown, Manalapan; 5-Star Cafe, Freehold Borough; Frank’s Nursery, Howell; Friendly’s, Freehold Township; Kohl’s, Marlboro; Lino Pizza, Howell; Loews Cineplex, Freehold Township; the Manalapan and Marlboro libraries; Manor Nursing Home, Freehold; Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office.
Also, Monmouth County Arc-Work Opportunity Center, Long Branch; Monmouth Crossing assisted living facility, Freehold Township; Old Country Buffet, Freehold Township; Pathmark, Howell; Pizza Hut, Freehold Township; Pinewood assisted living facility, Howell; Olde Silver Tavern, Manalapan.
And, Sears Hardware, Marlboro; SPCA, Eatontown; Super Stop & Shop, Howell; Sunrise Assisted Living, Marlboro; Target, Howell; TJ Maxx, Marlboro; Value City, Manalapan; Wal-Mart, Howell; Wawa, Brick; Wegmans, Manalapan; and the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold Township.