Children's Community School Celebrates 50 Years

Waterbury, CT - The Children’s Community School celebrated 50 years of successful education on May 16 with their 2019 Annual Dinner. In honor of the golden anniversary, all of the directors of the school from the past 50 years were recognized at the gala held at La Bella Vista in Waterbury.
The Board of Directors of the CCS organized the fundraiser dinner. Officers of the board include President John Jahne, Vice President Douglas Balko, Secretary Annarita DiFiore and Treasurer Kristi Kahn.

“For all that has been, Thank you. For all that is to come, Yes!” - Dab Hammarskjold

Ellen Mary Lynch, the current CCS Director summed up the mission of the school in the printed program. “For the last 50 years Children’s Community School has educated the economically disadvantaged young children in the Waterbury area...CCS began in 1969 because a group of concerned parents wanted the children of the Berkeley Housing Project to get a good education. Fifty years later, Children’s Community School continues to offer that same excellent educational opportunity." A few days before the dinner, Ms. Lynch had appeared on 1320 WATR with Tom Chute to talk about the school and promote the fundraiser.

Ms. Lynch recognized the eight educators who previously held her post and then expressed her thanks to faculty, staff and volunteers that she has worked with for their commitment to provide the children with an environment where excellence prevails and success follows. The director announced that she will be retiring from her position at the end of this year, but joked with attendees that they would most likely find something at the school for her to do so that she can remain a part of this caring community.

CCS Board President John W. Jahne wrote that “It takes an incredible team to achieve the successes we have had. Our team is on one heck of a winning streak, one that will continue for years to come. Expanding beyond elementary school into middle school next year is just one of the many impactful changes taking place. This will enable us to serve more children and better prepare them for life beyond CCS.”

CCS started out as a primary school called The Berkeley Community School. It was established in 1969 by a group of parents and community educators who were concerned by the challenges facing Waterbury’s inner-city children. The school began as a one-room kindergarten in the basement of the Berkeley Heights Housing Project. Ruth Sasso served as the first director of the school when it had 54 students enrolled; tuition was $36 per year. Naugatuck Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis remembers visiting the basement classroom when she was ten years of age and having lunch in the school’s kitchen with her aunt Prof. Sasso.

In 1979, the Waterbury Foundation provided funding to move the school to Wolcott Street and the elementary school received accreditation from the State Dept. of Education. The school changed its name to Children’s Community School in 1985. Adding a grade at a time, it quickly grew to include grades K through 5, and now includes a NAEYC accredited all-day, all-year Pre-K as well before and after school care. The school currently has 19 teachers and assistants, special services and administrative staff as well as support staff.

Annual Dinner tickets were $50 in celebration of the 50th Anniversary and there was an extensive silent auction, as well as some raffles, to help raise funds for the storied school. On display were various laminated news clippings and photos that chronicled the history of the school. O’Rourke & Birch provided carnation corsages for all of the honorees.

News Personality Scot Haney served as a genial master of ceremonies for the evening. Mr. Haney appears weekdays on Eyewitness News This Morning and also hosts “Better Connecticut” weekdays on Channel 3 at 3:00pm. Entertainment was provided by Bravo Waterbury, a collaboration between Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and some talented students of Children’s Community School. The jazz band was under the direction of Phillip Sterling, the wonderful band teacher at Waterbury Arts Magnet School.

All of the school directors were honored with a clear plastic award presented by a CCS student. Ruth Sasso 1969-1971, who went on to serve as Early Childhood Education Coordinator at NVCC, was awarded posthumously; her niece Nancy Sasso Janis attended the dinner on behalf of Prof. Sasso’s sister, Margaret Sasso Lagasse of Arizona. Prof. Sasso was able to attend the 45th anniversary dinner before she passed away last July. Ms. Janis was escorted by her son, Adam Janis, who enjoyed every part of the delicious dinner courses served by La Bella Vista.

Sr. Eileen Hogan, RSM 1971-1973, who is now retired, sat at a table with Prof. Sasso’s family members. Also honored were Sr. Catherine Malloy, CND 1973-1978, who is retired and living in the CND House of Formation, and Cathy Mary Vitone 1978-1987, who is retired and a hospice volunteer. Next to be recognized was Sr. Mary Anne Powers, CND 1987-1998, now Provincial at Blessed Sacrament Province and Patricia Emons 1998-2006, who is now retired. Dr. Frank Olah 2006-2007 was unable to attend. The final honorees were Dr. Barbara Ruggiero 2007-2013, the Director of Brass City Charter School and Ellen M. Lynch 2013-2019.

The 50th Anniversary Dinner Committee was led by Chairwoman Sue Mellitt.

Organizers wish to thank the Title Sponsor Webster Bank and Major Sponsors Ion Bank & Nancy Vendetti.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.