Wallingford schools record a wave of community donations for adult education and student supplies

The Wallingford Board of Education on Sept. 29 read into the record and accepted a series of donations from local businesses and residents totaling more than several thousand dollars in value and in‑kind equipment. The gifts included backpacks and school supplies for students, music stands donated by Choate Rosemary Hall, and sets of carpentry tools and a Home Depot gift card directed to the Wallingford Adult Education Tri Town Collaborative program.

Board member Missus Passaretti read a list of donors and items. Donations cited in the meeting packet and read into the record included: backpacks and school supplies from Burns & McDonnell and National Healthcare; 15 music stands from Choate Rosemary Hall for the James Moran Middle School music department; multiple carpentry tool donations (toolboxes, tool belts, safety glasses, gloves and small cash gifts) from several local donors to support students entering the carpentry trade through the Tri Town collaborative; and a $100 Home Depot gift card to assist a student entering the Carpenters Union apprenticeship. Superintendent Danielle Belizzi and staff clarified the carpentry donations were responding to a community request to help one recent graduate who is pursuing carpentry and needs tools and equipment to continue his training.

The board accepted the donations as correspondence and thanked the donors. District staff indicated they would provide program context and usage details when available and noted the donations were being used to support students both in regular K'12 programs and in adult education/training that leads to apprenticeships.

Sources: read into the record by Missus Passaretti and clarifying remarks by Superintendent Danielle Belizzi during the Sept. 29 board meeting.