High School News
Students
take Port Jervis High School to the cleaners
Instead
of just reading about the business world in text books, the
entrepreneurs in Port Jervis High School’s new Career
Achievement Program are actually going to run their own small
business.
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Assistant
Principal John Solimando cuts the red ribbon to mark the
official opening of Clean and Press Oct. 26. |
The students entered a
partnership with Marty and Linda Dlugatz, owners of Gilman
Cleaners in Middletown,to operate “Clean and Press,” a dry
cleaning drop-off site at the High School campus. An official
grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the new student
business was held at the High School Oct. 26.
The
students are running and operating the new dry cleaning business
under the supervision of High School teacher Peggy Millich and
teacher aide Sandy Larssen. With the exception of actually
processing the dry cleaning – which will be handled by the
professional staff at Gilman Cleaner’s Dolson Avenue facility –
the students are responsible for all aspects of the business.
This includes marketing the business, handling customer orders,
collecting money, managing the books, and developing an
operating budget.
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Teacher Peggy Millich assists one of her students write
a dry cleaning ticket for Patti Hess, one of the first
Clean and Press customers. |
The business venture is the
primary component of the new Career Achievement Program, which
is designed to help prepare high school students to live and
work independently through a combination of classroom
instruction and real world experiences. All aspects of the
curriculum – to include English, mathematics, and other academic
courses – are geared to provide students in grades 9 to 12 with
the life skills needed to enter the workforce.
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The class is taught by Peggy
Millich, who has more than 15 years of experience in marketing
and human resources. Prior to becoming a special education
teacher five years ago, Millich worked as a director of
marketing and sales.
Millich has been working with the students since the beginning
of the school year to prepare them for the grand opening. Two
weeks ago, the group of 13 students took a tour of Gilman
Cleaners to see first hand how the dry cleaning business works.
Dlugatz, whose family has operated Gilman Cleaners since 1925,
is enthusiastic about his new partnership with Clean and Press.
By offering the class special discounted prices, Dlugatz is
providing the students with the opportunity to make a small
profit without having to pass a surcharge onto their customers.
Currently, Clean and Press is offering its services to the Port
Jervis High School students and staff. As the students become
more experienced, the dry cleaning services will be offered to
the other schools.
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