Our classrooms are part of a transition program that focuses on vocational and life skills by working with students in training centers that simulate a grocery store, bank, restaurant with a full kitchen, hotel room, laundry facility, and a common area.
All of the students in my program are impacted by developmental delays (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc).
The program serves nearly 70 high school students from the ages of 14-21. Students from three public high schools attend our transition program located at an off-campus facility for half of a school day. The goal is to have each student learn to live as independently as possible. My students role play in training centers to improve targeted skills. Once a skill is mastered in a mock environment the student practices generalizing the skill in community environments.
My Project
My students would LOVE to have a refreshments cart to serve drinks and snacks to their peers and school staff. The cart will allow them to deliver drinks and snacks to specified areas throughout our building at designated times.
The skills incorporated with this service are wonderful and can help develop vocational skills that can transfer into employment opportunities after high school; including but not limited to: food/drink prep and safety, following a schedule, receiving order requests, serving customers, purchase transactions, stocking and inventory.
Furthermore, a refreshments cart provides an excellent opportunity to work on social skills in a natural setting. Communication and cooperation will be incorporated daily. In my opinion the greatest advantage to providing this service will be the opportunity presented to establish a common ground between my students and other members of their school community.
This can give my students the chance to interact and build relationships with peers and school staff they may not have encountered otherwise.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Salanky and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.