Pay it forward

On Thursday June 18th, the fifth grade class at Laurel Ledge Elementary School in Beacon Falls honored Region 16’s Teacher of the Year, Mr. John Polletta. Mr. Polletta not only teaches his students the required academics, he goes above and beyond, and teaches them how to be better human beings. If asked, Mr. Polletta will take no credit for this and explains they were already wonderful students, but he has truly taught them the concept of pay it forward. Pay it forward is a concept asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead. Instead of presenting him with the traditional end-ofthe- year gift cards and presents, the students decided to pay it forward by making a donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut in John Polletta’s name.

Nancy Shapiro  came to the school along with Ann Polletta, John’s wife and Jennifer Polletta, John and Ann’s daughter. There was not a dry eye in the house when the Ronald McDonald House was presented with a $1,500 check towards the newly established John Polletta Transportation Fund, over $200 in grocery store gift cards and a year subscription to the NY Times. Superintendent of Region 16, James C. Agostine and Principal of Laurel ledge School, Regina Murzak, were there to congratulate Mr. Polletta and the Ronald McDonald House.

There are people that touch our lives and really have no idea how much impact they have on us. Mr. Polletta is one of those teachers that the fifth grade class and their parents will remember for a lifetime. He always makes the time to show kindness to everyone that crosses his path and has instilled this upon his students. Ghandi says it best: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

We thank and congratulate Mr. Polletta, Region 16’s Teacher of the Year, and Laurel Ledge’s fifth grade graduating class of 2009.

Please contact Cathy Bignolas (cbignolas@rmh-ct.org) or call 203-777-5683, if you are interested in volunteering or making a donation.