Middletown architect donates 25 handmade desks for students in need

Middletown architect Steve Nelsen built 25 wooden tables for Macdonough Elementary School and donated them to students who did not have enough places to study. Nelsen of the Russell Library Trustee Committee had materials near his home and decided on the project to help families in need.

On the right, Damian Reardon of Macdonald Elementary School explained how the neighborhood school’s STEM program worked during the visit of the then governor candidate Ned Lamont in June 2018.

A Middletown architect built 25 wooden tables for Macdonough Elementary School and donated them to elementary school students whose families did not have enough for them to study.

Macdonald Elementary School is located at 66 Spring St., Middletown.

Shows Middletown architect Steve Nelsen unloading his handcrafted desk to Macdonough Elementary School on Spring Street.

Showcasing a handmade desk brought by Middletown architect Steve Nelsen, located in front of Macdonough Elementary School on Spring Street. He donated 25 kinds of his handmade works to students.

An urban architect recently donated a dozen hand-made desks to a school in the North District. He said that this was done to help families with children who are restricted by their situation due to distance learning.

Steve Nelsen

Said that he understands the difficulties faced by his parents and their students

During the pandemic.

Nelson said this is especially true for children at MacDonald Elementary School, where there is a large population and underserved services. "We are keenly aware that it is difficult for poor children who are challenged by the media at home to find an appropriate time and place to keep in touch with the school."

Principal Damian Reardon said that the donation was made two days before the Christmas break. "He doesn't want to pay for it. He just wants to do it. We appreciate it very much."

Reardon said that Nelson and kindergarten teacher Kelly Lenihan (Kelly Lenihan) became neighbors, and the latter's head teacher was his sister. Two women sent an email to the family via email to inform them that they were available. "Our response was huge," Layton said.

Nelsen dropped from the wooden table to Macdonough and asked the principal to make sure everyone went to the needy home.

Because the architect used the materials he used around the house, “their designs are diversified. I finally standardized it with new materials and it became much easier,” he said. He used a countertop on a desktop computer. Each has an open cubicle for supplying items directly below the work surface.

Nelson said the design is simple. "This can be hidden in the corner and reserve space for the child."

Due to the enthusiastic response from the school community, Reardon is allocating desks on a first-come, first-served basis, with one for each household. Some parents are picking them up. The principal will use his truck to transport others.

Nelson was lucky that there were enough children in his family. He said: "My grandchildren have almost everything they need, so I can do something for the school." The architect said that his livelihood and love for the design process made him very suitable for the project. Nelson said: "My abilities and interests have entered the scope of discussion."

Reardon said the desk gifts are in line with the school’s mission to pay close attention to the welfare of families who may be struggling during the pandemic. Layton said his staff and parents’ goal is to call each McDonough’s family to see how they are doing before the holiday.

The principal said: "Sometimes the school will do everything possible to answer the needs of the family, but in fact we are not asking what our family needs." "We assume, and we want to get rid of this."

Redden said that a volunteer assigned to each family asked the parents how they manage utilities, rent, groceries, clothes and other responsibilities. The principal said the data was compiled into an online document, enabling employees to search for "food" or "clothing" using keywords.

St. Vincent de Paul Middletown held once

On December 21st, from Macdonough to the Amazing Grace pantry on the street. After the event, there are a few boxes left. Leighton said Peter Keast of Saint Vincent de Paul took them to school and distributed them when they were expelled. All but eight were taken away.

To distribute the remaining food, the staff used a list of families who said that food was their biggest challenge during the pandemic. "We are really excited, we can reach out and say that food is a problem and provide them with food," Layton said.

This kind of charitable effort is very common in schools. of

There are a lot of clothing, so the staff can meet the requirements of people who need clothing, boots and jackets in the cold season. The principal said that before the recent snowstorm, they were able to distribute luggage in a way that kept their distance from society.

These items were donated by parents, and their children's clothes exceeded their clothes. Reardon said that they can then choose larger-sized items. Each is cleaned beforehand. "This is a good exchange.

The table is part of it. There is no workplace in the home-we provide you with a desk. "He says.

The second-year teacher Joanne Jukins praised a parent: "This has changed everything about our homeschooling, his organization and comfort," the person familiar with the matter said.

The staff also learned that childcare is the biggest concern of about 16 families. Due to the pandemic,

versus

Help parents. They also

, Which helps low- and middle-income families pay for day care expenses.

A total of 90% of Macdonough children either go to school or are abandoned by their parents. The principal said that many people have inconvenient transportation.

Reardon said that in order to alleviate one of the obstacles to child care and help children who walk from school to the YMCA on Union Street, buses have been installed in the area.

Reardon said that in addition to three to four new employees, Macdonough's teachers have been there for 12 years or more. The principal said: “When people hear about Macdonough and the great things that are happening there, people want to help.”

Cassandra Day is an award-winning multimedia journalist and a resident of the North District. He has been covering almost all aspects of Middletown for 21 years, 18 of which are Newspaper.