The Yonkers Board of Education recognized two outstanding Maintenance Department staff members who completed a cherished outdoor project for School 5 under challenging weather conditions. 

In October, despite heavy rain, Tommaso Miro and Richard Torreggiani worked with students and staff to plant a new orchard at School 5.

The school-site orchard evolved through a 2018-2019 Yonkers My Brother’s Keeper mini-grant application.

The funds for the MBK mini-grants came from the donations raised at our outstanding 2nd Year Anniversary in September 2018. The grants were made available to our school chapters in 2019.

School Five’s application for the onsite orchard noted the need for children to understand where our food comes from, empower them to make better nutritional choices and to promote a sense of community volunteerism. In an email to the Trustees from science teacher Sunitha Howard and endorsed by Principal Dr. Pisacreta, it was clear that Tommaso and Richard went above and beyond to prepare site and plant the trees. And, as Superintendent of Schools Dr.Edwin M. Quezada noted, the two gentlemen learned from each other during the project.

Tommaso Miro has been with the Yonkers Public Schools for 27 years. He started his career as a Custodial Worker at School 25, Burroughs Junior High School and the Lincoln Maintenance Department. In 2006, he was promoted to his current position Maintenance Mechanic. Richard Torreggiani has been with the District for 6 years, also starting his career as a Custodial Worker at School 13 and Montessori School 31. Last year, he joined the Maintenance Department when he was promoted to Motor Equipment Operator 1. Thank you for your caring, and fortitude!