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Students with disabilities gain workplace skills through school 'coffee cart' program
Summary
Teachers presented a student‑run coffee cart that provides hands‑on training in money handling, customer service and inventory for students with disabilities; staff hope to expand community partnerships and keep the program running weekly.
At the January meeting the board heard a presentation on a hands‑on vocational program that gives students with disabilities real work experience operating a coffee cart.
"Our goal is to prepare our students to transition beyond our four walls," said Casey Grum, a teacher at the middle and high school who led the presentation. Grum described weekly operation (Fridays unless moved for holidays), training in money handling, inventory tracking, customer service, decorated coffee sleeves made in art class, and student involvement in every operation from baking to serving.
Grum credited colleagues and community partners for helping the program start and to give students job‑readiness experience: trips behind the scenes at local cafés, baking for National Honor Society events, and local volunteers. She described student roles by name during the presentation and said the program seeks to expand as a permanent experiential learning opportunity.
The board accepted the presentation and representatives offered to sample student‑made treats after the meeting. The program will continue development with existing staff and community partnerships; no additional budget action was recorded in the transcript.
