Kids show they have what it takes

From the BCCT.

Kids show they have what it takes
By CHRIS ENGLISH
Bucks County Courier Times

Two special education students do a good job cleaning bathrooms and also "bring a whole new life into the building," one township employee said.

Two special education students from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit get valuable work experience.

And Middletown gets clean bathrooms in the township municipal center.

So, what's not to like, IU special education teacher Nick Nastasi asked about the cooperative program he said benefits both parties.

"They do great quality work," said Nastasi of the two students, Ken Kalczewski, 21, and Chuks Ahia, 19. Nastasi teaches them at Neshaminy's Tawanka Learning Center.

"I want my kids to be treated like any other employee, no favors, no nothing," Nastasi continued. "They try to be better and more consistent than the average person and, when they make mistakes, they are corrected."

Jamison resident Kalczewski has Down syndrome and Ahia, who lives in Lower Makefield, has autism. Since September, the two students have been coming in Tuesday and Thursday mornings to clean several bathrooms in the administrative side of the municipal center. The police side has its own cleaning arrangement.

Kalczewski and Ahia are paid $25 a week by the township, but their overall contribution is invaluable, said township Community Outreach Officer Terry Field.

"Tuesdays and Thursdays are my favorite day of the week because of them," she said. "They are well behaved and do a fabulous job. They come in and pretty much change the whole environment of the building with their uplifting spirits. I would advise any township or business to hire them because they bring a whole new life into the building."

So far, Middletown is the only Bucks County municipality to employ IU special education students, Nastasi said. However, students are employed at area private businesses, including Nationwide Insurance in Bensalem, General Partition in Bristol Township and Curves in Middletown. Special education students also are employed at the IU's alternative school in Bristol Township, Nastasi said.

The arrangement in Middletown started when the township's full-time custodian on the administrative side of the municipal center left last year.

Township recreation programs coordinator Paul Kopera, who used to work at the IU and had experience with the outside work programs there, suggested hiring special education students for Middletown. The deal was struck and, though the township has since hired a part-time custodian, the arrangement has continued.

"Our goal is to train kids to be able to do these kind of jobs so as they turn 21, with some community support, they will be able to continue doing meaningful work," said IU special education supervisor Jane Strawley. "I think it's been win-win in Middletown, beneficial to both the employer and employees."

To find out how to hire IU special education students or for more information, call 800-770-4822, 215-322-6871 or e-mail nnastasi@bucks.iu.org.