Every Tuesday morning, staff at Pond Road Middle School look forward to more than just caffeine—they eagerly await visits from students in the Knight & Day Cafe, a school-run program that blends warm drinks with life skills instruction.
The Knight & Day Cafe is operated by students with multiple disabilities and autism, under the guidance of special education teachers Lauren DiRienzo and Jeanette Castiglione.
Since its launch in 2018, the program has helped students develop communication, social, and daily living skills while serving coffee, tea, and treats to school staff.
“When we started the Knight & Day Cafe seven years ago, we couldn’t have predicted it would be as popular as it is now,” DiRienzo said. “We fulfill approximately 25 orders every week from teachers and the deliveries are a highlight of every single Tuesday.”
Students take orders every Monday and prepare drinks and snacks for delivery the following day. While the menu originally included only hot beverages, it has since expanded to include baked goods and seasonal offerings.
Holiday-themed items such as “mummy” water bottles at Halloween and reindeer-shaped brownies in winter are especially popular.
All proceeds from the cafe benefit students in the specialized classroom. Last year, the program raised enough money to fund a trip to Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
“It’s great to be able to offer such a tangible reward for all their hard work,” Castiglione said. “It really encourages the development of communication skills they can carry with them the rest of their lives.”
Robbinsville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Pizzo praised the program’s impact.
“I’m pleased to see such a wonderful program has had such a positive impact on the Pond Road Middle School community,” Pizzo said.
“Thank you to Ms. DiRienzo and Ms. Castiglione for leading the Knight & Day Cafe; programs like this make a meaningful difference in the lives of all students involved,” Pizzo said.
