Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc
School-Based Health Center
"Healthy Kids Make Better Learners"
Hours M-F 7:30am-2:30pm | Phone (203) 270-6114
Meet your NMS School Based Health Center Staff:
Nurse Practitioner: Ariel Belek, APRN-BC, FNP
Ariel Belek APRN graduated from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford CT with her RN in 2012. She's worked in several settings including medical surgical floor, detox, and intensive care. After 5 years in the intensive care unit, she completed her master's degree specializing in Family Practice from the University of Saint Joseph in 20 I 9. She has been a member of the international nursing honors society sigma theta tau since 2012 and received the Florence nightingale award from the University of Saint Joseph in 2019. She works at the school-based clinic at Newtown Middle School and at Connecticut Institute for Communities pediatric department in Danbury CT. She is passionate about pediatric medicine and is excited to engage with students in the school setting to help promote wellness.
Clinical Social Worker: Samantha Taurozzi, LCSW
Sam Taurozzi received her master's degree in social work from Monmouth University in 2019. Sam has experience working with adolescents in several settings including residential, intensive group work, and outpatient individual therapy. Sam's work with students focuses on rapport building while encouraging self-esteem building, problem solving skills, social skills, and effective communication. Sam is well versed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on the impact our thoughts and feelings have on our behavior. Outside of work, Sam is a huge animal lover and enjoys spending time outdoors. Sam believes therapy looks different for everyone and is determined to provide a safe space for students to work through real-life stressors.
Medical Office Assistant: Nancy Kettner
Nancy joined Connecticut Institute For Communities as the Medical Office Assistant at the Newtown Middle School, School Health Based Center (SBHC) in January 2016. She is the first person the Newtown Middle School students meet when they come to the SBHC. She has provided administrative and customer service support in a business office environment for the last 28 years. She earned an associate degree in Business Administration from Westchester Community College, Valhalla, NY. fn 2014, she earned a Medical Administrative Assistant Certification from The Harris School of Business in Danbury, CT. Nancy's desire to work in a school environment with students has come to fruition and she is thrilled to be a part of the Newtown Middle School, School Based Health Center team.
School Based Health Center Manager: Melanie Bonjour
Melanie joined the Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc. in July 2013 immediately after retiring from 34 years of service as a Public Health Educator and Health Center Coordinator for the City of Danbury. She earned a BS degree in School and Community Health Education and a Master's in Public Administration from Western CT State University. Her most notable achievement has been securing funding to establish Danbury's first School Based Health Center in 1994. A 30-year resident of the Newtown community, Melanie feels honored to have an integral role in bringing the School Based Health Services to the Newtown Middle School.
Services include:
- Treatment of acute and chronic illnesses
- Individual, group, and family counseling
- Health education and health promotion
Contact Information:
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 2:30pm
Phone Number: (203) 270-6114
