From left: Jordan/Jackson Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Peggy DeAngelis, Jamie Piro and Kim Piro. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) From left: Mansfield Public Schools Director of Health Services Christine Dooling and Jamie Piro. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools) Jordan/Jackson Elementary School third-grade teacher Kathy Risotti and Jamie Piro. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)
MANSFIELD — Superintendent Teresa Murphy and Principal John Nieratko are pleased to announce that the staff at Jordan/Jackson Elementary School was honored last week for the school’s ongoing partnership with a family in the community.
On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the Doug Flutie Foundation and Jersey Mike’s honored Jordan/Jackson’s commitment to the “inclusion of all people for the benefit of all people.” As part of the event, the Flutie Foundation purchased the entire staff at the school subs from Jersey Mike’s as a thank you for the school’s partnership with the Piro family.
During lunchtime, staff members were able to visit the school’s multi-purpose room to enjoy a sub for lunch, and tables were set up for staff to eat and talk with each other.
Mansfield resident Kim Piro has been a volunteer in the Mansfield Public Schools for many years, since her daughter Jamie enrolled as a kindergartner. She runs the highly successful iCare program, or “Introducing Children to Acceptance through Reading and Education,” at Mansfield’s Pre-K and elementary schools along with her daughter.
The program uses volunteer storytellers to teach students about the differences that exist among students, in particular those with disabilities, as well as treating others with respect and inclusion. Volunteers read stories to children, engage in question-and-answer sessions and provide important context for the discussions.
The iCARE program began in Mansfield in 2003, and after a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic was relaunched last year. Jamie Pior has also begun volunteering in the schools and reading to students alongside her mother.
“As much as Kim Piro tells me how much Jamie benefits from being here, my students have benefited so much more from knowing and working with her,” said fifth-grade teacher Margaret DeAngelis.
Wednesday’s event was a way to recognize Jordan/Jackson for its long-standing relationship with the Piro family. Both Kim and Jamie were present to personally thank staff members for their ongoing support, as were representatives from the Flutie Foundation.
The Mansfield Public Schools would like to thank the Doug Flutie Foundation and Jersey Mike’s for making Wednesday’s event possible, as well as Kim and Jamie Piro for everything they have done for the students of Mansfield over the years.
“Kim Piro has been such a wonderful volunteer and advocate for our schools for so many years, and it means so much to be able to recognize both her and her daughter and the strong partnership the Piro family has had with us for so long,” Superintendent Murphy said. “Our teachers and staff embrace Kim’s lessons and values and we thank them for making the Mansfield Public Schools such a welcoming and inclusive place for all.”
The district would like to recognize the staff members who have worked with Kim and Jamie this year, including: Margaret DeAngelis, Joshua Curry, Caitlin Haapaoja, Erin Pasquale, Karen Ouwinga, Tara Kanevski, Kathy Risotti, Terri O’Connell, Andree Ulrich, Rayna Freedman, Karen Slarve, Aimee Conroy, Jennifer Norige, Vicki Logan, Lee Tighe and Mary Beth Kennedy.
To learn more about the iCARE program and the Piro family, click here.
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