After over a YEAR of planning, CJPS and Staff Sergeant Brown of the CT National Guard were finally able to make the 3-DAY, 2-NIGHT, 1-SHOP FAMILY disaster deployment experience a reality. This EPIC camping trip was a chance to show students they could do things they didn't think they were capable of. For many, this was a first experience without power, running water, or quality sleep yet the whole group came together to solve problems and put others first.
We cannot tell you how proud we all are of the sophomores and juniors and the whole CJPS family. This was the best experience we have had as teachers since we started and we all became a closer shop family.

Thank you to everyone that made this happen; All the members of the CT National Guard that donated their time, Mr. Noonan driving the bus on his own time, the cafeteria staff at the school, the Westbrook Dunkin Donuts, and all the parents who supported us. We Could NOT have done this without you all.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO STAFF SERGEANT BROWN WHO WORKED FOR MONTHS MAKING THIS ENTIRE EXPERIENCE A REALITY!!!

A few months ago, our shop linked up with the Iwo Jima Memorial Historical Foundation to help clean up the National Memorial and help remember the veterans of the battle. The students were so moved by meeting the veterans and seeing the memorial that they decided they wanted to help several times a year going forward; quite a noble gesture for a group of teenagers. Today, the National Iwo Jima Memorial Historical Foundation, represented by President Raymond Carrier, presented the classes with a Certificate of Appreciation. It was an unexpected surprise and a special thanks to Ray's wife Elaine for her famous cookies :)