These slides - Milton Academy

History in Action for aSustainable Society! Course OverviewThis course examines both current and past socialissues including hunger, poverty, homelessness andeducation, as well as activists’ and organizations’approaches to address them. Students in the courseparticipate in weekly community service as well ascontemplate activism and its role.

IntervieweesGet to know them

John Alves! Suburban Cleaners Operation Manager! John grew up in Cape Verde and went to high school there.He came to the U.S. in 1998 and went to high school here fortwo years because his education didn't transfer. He hasworked with Milton for eight years. He is married with twochildren—a daughter (12) and a son (6).! He likes to spend time with his family, play with his children,and take his wife out to dinner.! “The cleaners love to talk to the students. They want to helpthem. Because they are here, they see the students everyday.”

Orlando Oliveira! Suburban Cleaning Service! Orlando moved to the U.S. from Cape Verde ten years ago. Hemoved around a lot in Cape Verde and has lived in many cities.! He works cleaning the library and the CSG from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.He then works for UPS from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.! Orlando understands the hurried pace of the lives of Milton studentshere. He believes we are incredibly fortunate to attend a school likeMilton Academy and should not take it for granted.! "You [students] are lucky because you grew up in this country;you’re especially lucky to be at a school like Milton Academy."

Marisol Decorporon! Suburban Cleaning Service! Marisol is from the Dominican Republic and now lives in Bostonwith her three daughters.! She works cleaning Forbes and the Student Center.! “My relationships with the students are good, almost perfect.There are differences between each person, but everything isfine.”! Marisol’s dream job was to be a lawyer. “That dream couldn’tcome true, because after you get married you… have to takecare of the kids, so you don’t really have other opportunities.”

Teresa Moore! CM Cleaning Company Manager! “I have formed some great relationships at Milton with faculty andstaff, so that we can better serve the School. We are here doing aservice that requires us to stay professional, so we do not formpersonal relationships with the students.”! “I love my job now. It allows me to have great relationships withemployees, clients and venders. My dream job when I wasyounger was working in hotels planning conventions, which I didfor years.”

Tiffany Dougherty! CM Cleaning! Tiffany grew up in Massachusetts.! She works cleaning the residential houses on campus.! Tiffany is in college, studying to be an accountant.! She has recently started working at Milton Academy, so she barely knows anystudents or faculty yet; however, she said that students are always polite.! Because she works in the dorms during the school day (six hours a day), shedoesn’t see students very often, preventing her from forming bonds withparticular students or faculty.

Ruben Gonzalez! CM Cleaning! Ruben was born in Rhode Island and grew up in Guatemala. He was six yearsold when he came to the United States. He has no family here. He has beenworking at Milton for four years.! Ruben begins the work day at 11 a.m., cleaning the Junior Building, Forbes,and Pritzker until 9 p.m.! He likes to play soccer in his free time; he plays on a team. His dream job is tobe a construction worker.! He hasn’t felt very close with any of the students since two years ago when heknew a lot of seniors.

Michael Santoemmo! Flik Director of Catering! Michael has a really strong relationship with the 45 peoplethat he works with; they're like one, big family.! “A lot of students don't see the work and preparation thatgoes into the work at Forbes—most people see only the finalproduct.”! Mr. Santoemmo “is great for the people—he makes us feelspecial.” -Eileen Newell! “He helps us if we have a problem.” –Marie Reijous

Marie Reijous! Flik Food Services! Marie came to the United States from Haiti in April 1993.! Her work at Milton includes food preparation and clean-up.! “I work at Hathaway House, and when Mark [Hilgendorf] sees mehe says, ‘Marie, I love you!’ and he gives me a hug.”

Eileen Newell! Flik Food Services! Eileen grew up in Ireland and came to U.S. with her younger sister atage 18.! Eileen works in Forbes and the Snack Bar.! “I could never say a bad word about anyone here. I have never met astudent I didn’t like, I have never met a teacher I didn’t like, and thelittle kids—I love them!”! “Every time students come to the window, I hear ‘Thank you, thankyou, thank you.’ It’s just one phrase, but [they’re] the best words inthe dictionary.”

Rudi Mota! Flik Food Services! Rudi is from the Dominican Republic and lives in Bellingham,Massachusetts.! He is the Elliott Commons cook and supervisor.! “I love baseball. I’m going to die playing baseball.”! “I have never been disappointed with the students… That’s why I’vestayed here for so long—because of the way they treat me.”! “The typical workday for me is to have fun. I have a lot of friends here. Ilike to be open, for [everyone] to talk to me like a normal friend. I am thetype of guy who would like to help you with anything.”

Amina Gunn! Flik Food Services! Amina is from Dorchester, MA.! She works in the Snack Bar.! “My dream job would be in the music industry. Record, produce, sing, rap,play, whatever. I’m always writing stuff and making music, but I’d like to makea living doing that.”! “I don’t think there’s that much interaction [between us and the students]but… I like pretty much everybody. I don’t think I’d ask for it to be more thanit is.”! “Sometimes I look to see if there’s a better job out there. These days, evenwith a bachelor’s degree [some jobs only] pay ten dollars an hour.Sometimes I think I’d like to go back to school, but then I’ve got to say: is itworth it?”

Mariette Delma! Flik Food Services! Mariette is from Haiti.! She does food preparation and clean-up at Milton.! “I like singing at the church.”! “When I come [to work], I focus on work. I know my kids.”! “I think I’d try to go school. Learn to speak clearly, because whenI go home I speak Creole.”

Jay Hackett! Campus Safety Director! Jay has a master’s in criminal justice and security and is a certifiedEMT. He coordinates the shifts for the workers and supports theR.A.D. self-defense class at Milton. He has a great relationship withall the workers.! Jay would like to have a staff/student barbeque in the spring tohave everyone get to know each other better.! “If students open the door [to have a relationship with the staff],Campus Safety will definitely come through.”

Katie Williams! Campus Safety! Katie lives in Milton. She went to Bridgewater State and majored intheater. She transferred to Massasoit Community College and “fell in lovewith criminal justice.”! Katie is a Campus Safety supervisor. On the weekends she works atBrown University and helps manage events. She also works for the MiltonPolice Department.! Katie likes to travel, watch movies, and do theater tech.! She has good interactions with the students. She likes talking with kids inthe Student Center and helping the AV kids.! “Campus Safety is a neighbor to everyone.”

Mark Williams! Campus Safety! Mark grew up in and lives in Milton. He attended St.Agatha’s, Pierce Middle School and Milton High School.! Mark manages traffic in the morning, and deals withalarms and locked buildings. He is the EmergencyManagement Director for the town of Milton.! He loves NCIS, gardening and golf.! He has a good relationship with students and “feelsmore and more appreciated.”! “I thank the administration for choosing a group ofpolite kids.”

Paul Hopkins! Campus Safety! Paul is a retired engineer who has worked with manufacturers andagencies. He lives in Milton.! At Milton Academy, Paul is a patrol officer.! He loves sailing, working at rescuing dogs (especially shepherds),HAM radio, and training new recruits for the auxiliary fire department.! Paul enjoys helping teachers and students in the science department,bringing his experience with technology. Recently, Paul was a volunteerfor the space squid project.

Steve Zannino! Steve is the manager of the Facilities department.! He thinks that overall, relationships among the students, faculty,and employees have improved since Mr. Bland came to Milton.! One of the greatest challenges in his work is that students willoften walk on blocked off, newly-seeded grass without realizingit. During all-School events, like barbeques on the Quad,students will litter and leave plates, cups and napkins on theground.! Steve used to love working on golf courses; however, he likes hiscurrent job—it allows him to see his children's sports gamesafter school.

Emanuel Tavares! Manny works in Facilities doing groundwork, field upkeep and groundssafety.! He moved to the U.S. from Portugal at age 14. He lives with his wife, fourchildren, and in-laws in a town outside of Milton.! Manny plays soccer, loves baseball, and likes hockey but can’t skate. Helikes to go home and relax. “I like to [play with] the kids… There arealways things to do.”! He doesn’t like when students walk on the newly-seeded grass, but “kidsare just busy and don’t pay attention.” It keeps him busy, he says.! Manny has been working since he was ten years old. He doesn’t plan onstopping work anytime soon because his youngest child is three yearsold.

Ernest Ostine! Ernie does groundwork for Facilities.! He is from Haiti and started working at Milton in 1978. He left his familyin Haiti to make money and bring his family over to the United States.! Ernie loves to “play soccer, watch TiVo and eat.”! He is still working here because he loves Milton. He wants to give backto the community like the community has given to him.! “This was my first job, this is also my last job. I just want to thank youMilton Academy. You did a lot for me—the paycheck every two weeks.”

John Donovan! JD coordinates events in and cleans the ACC.! He grew up in and still lives in Milton. He is one of eight children. He used to playhockey at the Milton rink when it was an outdoor rink with a chain-link fence.! In addition to working at Milton Academy, he has four other jobs.! He watches any sports that are on TV, especially hockey. He was part of a band forfive years and has a song on the radio. Some of his friends are still in bands and ontour. He likes to hang out with them and practice his instruments.! His dream job is to be the general manager of the Boston Bruins.! JD is really close with the Milton community. He “can’t get any closer.” He workswith the students, faculty, public, parents, and patrons.! “The students are dynamite. They have lots of structure and take pride in theSchool.”

Justin Bruzzi! Justin does groundwork for Facilities.! He is 23 and getting married in May. He lives in Foxboro and grew upin Pawtucket, Rhode Island.! Justin likes sports—he played football, baseball, basketball andsoccer growing up.! He thinks that it would be cool to coach a sports team—maybe atMilton?

Final Thoughts! Milton Academy prides itself on the strength of the relationships inthe community. Although many students have formed bonds with thefaculty members, relationships with many staff members could bestronger. Our class wants to change that. Without the hundreds ofstaff members, our School would not be the beautiful, safe andcomfortable environment that many of us take for granted.! Now that you’ve seen these staff members’ faces and know theirnames, pick up your trash and start a conversation. Theseemployees are some of the most interesting and intelligent peoplewe’ve met, and you can learn a lot from them. If you would like tohelp continue this project, please contact any of us. We are trying tofind ways to create lasting connections. We can all make adifference.

Thank you!! Many thanks to everyone who made this projectpossible, especially the Flik, Suburban Cleaners, CMCleaning, Facilities, and Campus Safety managers,staff, and interviewees—for their time, involvementand dedication.! Thanks so much to ALL the workers of MiltonAcademy who make our every day experiencepossible.! Thank you to Ms. Geyling for supporting usthroughout this project.