A week before the 2009 – 2010 school year began, the High Road School of Norwalk unexpectedly lost a beloved and integral member of our community – Mr. Juan DeJesus.  In an effort to pay tribute and to mourn his loss in a positive manner, our school social workers set about to assess exactly how the student body wanted to pay their respects to the man who had been such an influential role model and guide in their lives.  Did they want to write something?  Did they want create something? Did they want to ‘do’ something?

Although many wonderful ideas were brainstormed, it was collectively and emphatically decided that the students would create a path made of stepping stones in his honor.  This was the seed idea that was then grown into a full blown, peaceful, recreational area.  The students worked diligently in shifts, under the guidance of teachers, social workers and Mr. Botwick, to clear the area surrounding our hoop house, lay down fresh wood chip, build picnic tables and design a beautiful winding path of stepping stones.

The students then created and sent invitations to former staff, students, community members and Juan’s family to join in celebrating Juan’s life at a memorial ceremony.  On Thursday, October 1st, everyone came together to read a poem created of written memories and to vocalize to Juan’s family, and to each other, the multitude of ways he had positively impacted their lives and how he would never be forgotten.  High Road School of Norwalk will continue to enjoy and find peace in the recreational memorial site and Juan’s family has an open invitation to return to the site and take solace in what was created in his honor.

High Road School of Norwalk