Physical education teacher Mr. Orsini is one of the many Italian teachers at LHS who are happy to speak about their heritage

“I am from a proud Italian-American heritage that embraces God, family, food, hard work, love, and community,” said Mr. Orsini. 

Mr. Orsini, whose grandparents immigrated to America in 1902, recalls Sunday dinners and family gatherings growing up in Providence. An important aspect of his Italian heritage is being around family, and he still continues the tradition of Sunday dinner when time provides.

“I grew up in Providence and vividly remember large family gatherings every Sunday with a multi-course meal waiting on the table for all to enjoy,” said Orsini. “We still do this to this day when my children do not have a baseball game. Family is very important in our culture..”

Traveling and being able to see the roots of his heritage, while keeping elders’ traditions and meals alive is another big part of Mr. Orsini’s heritage. 

“We travel to Italy to visit family every so often and are definitely due to get back.,” Mr. Orsini said. “Marrying into this recently immigrated family actually revitalized my connection to my heritage, as they continue to take part in all of the old-world habits of: gardening, preserving, cooking, gathering, making homemade staples ( wine, cheese, sausage and pasta).”

One of the most important parts of Mr. Orsini’s Italian roots and values is how he is able to bring them into teaching gym and health. Mr. Orsini sees his Italian values as a benefit to his teaching.. 

“I bring these values to my teaching by reinforcing that work ethic in all of my students and helping them see the opportunity that this fine country provides for all people, regardless of color or creed.” he said.” I am always trying to motivate students to do their best and be better than their parents, because that is what they would want to see in their children. I try to get my students to see that they have purpose and even though they are young now, these are the days that lay the foundation for the rest of their lives.”

Math teacher Mrs. Scholfield is another one of the Italian teachers here at LHS.

Her heritage goes far back, with her grandmother and grandfather, along with several aunts and uncles, first immigrated to the united states as children

“My maiden name is Verduchi,” said Mrs. Schofield. My grandfather was one of eleven and my grandmother was one of five who both came to the United States from Italy when they were kids.

Mrs. Schofield grew up around family and Italian foods.

 “I grew up with gnocchis and other homemade pastas, gravy on Sunday and of course Italian cookies,” said Mrs. Schofield.

Over the summer, Mrs. Schofield was able to participate in the filming of My Kind of People, a film about an Italian Rhode Island family, directed by Joe Picozzi, the son of former English and Journalism teacher Mrs. Picozzi. The role brough Mrs. Schofield back to her old memories with her Italian family and their old traditions.

“This past summer I was fortunate to be cast in a short film about an Italian family titled “My Kind of People”.  It highlights an Italian Rhode Island family and was written and directed by our recently retired English teacher Mrs. Picozzi’s very talented son, Joe Picozzi.  Filming the movie brought back memories of Sunday dinners with the family, huge Christmases and very vocal “discussions,” said Mrs. Schofield. 

Mrs. Schofield finds that being Italian does come through in her hand gestures while teaching.

“I think being Italian doesn’t directly impact who I am as a teacher but it does explain why I teach and talk with my hands,” said Mrs. Schofield.

Mr. Decaro, the head of the culinary department. Mr Decaro is able to integrate Italian culture to the kitchen, being able to cook and teach his Italian cooking skills with new dish ideas for students

“My parents were from the southern tip of Italy, south Florence, visiting areas of Calabria, Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples. I am able to speak fluent Italian and still practice,” said Mr. Decaro

Through the culinary program, Mr. Decaro brings his Italian knowledge of farming and cooking to the kitchen. 

“I still practice a lot of Italian ethnic traditions, such as growing herbs and plants while having my own farm at home, which I harvest tomatoes, green beans, peppers, while I also have 2 cows at home to make ricotta cheese,” said Mr. Decaro 

Mr. Decaro brings these food ideas to the culinary and teaches how to cook them to his students. 

“We brought in stuff tomato sauce, basil, parsley, and I teach our students how to cook with these herbs and how to incorporate them in dishes,” said Mr. Decaro.