Every Monday Period 4,  the staff at Coginchaug Regional High School can have their car shine bright inside and out with the help of a group of students who have started an “In-school Car Wash”.   This program has been and continues to be another successful and worthwhile activity for the students of Regional District 13.

The in-school car wash was created last year under the guidance of the former transition coordinator, and now continues to run as a program as a part of the “Work Study” class, now run by Ms. McGrath.  This program is giving job experience to students and helping them know what it is to be responsible and feel good knowing they are fulfilling a service for others.  

Senior Katerina DiNallo is the acting student leader of the in-school car wash.  She said, “It makes me feel good to help out and it also makes the teachers happy.  Kids try to help out different teachers and clean their cars and it helps out the community.  The teachers appreciate when the students help.”

Teachers that have had the opportunity to attend the car wash have been as happy with the service as the students have been.  Mrs. Lagace of the Social Studies department is a two time satisfied customer and supporter of the program.  She shared, “This is the second year I’ve participated in the in-school car wash and both times I have not been disappointed.  The quality of work done by our students is excellent.  The standard they keep rivals the standard you would see in any detail shop but with the convenience of having it done at school.  The program is so professionally run – I will definitely continue to participate!”  Another happy teacher is Mrs. Fisher who stated, “The kids did a great job!  They vacuumed the inside of the car, cleaned the windows inside and out, and wiped down all the surfaces.  They also shined all the tires.  I highly recommend any staff member who has a dirty car to sign up for this convenient service!”

The in-school car wash program is another example of  “out of the box” thinking that comes from the staff and students at RSD13.  It benefits students looking ahead to the real work of careers and jobs and provides a service to the staff.   The professionalism and excellence that the students have exhibited during this program is a strong example of how pride and hard work is something to strive for in and out of school.