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Students showcase life-skills programs in superintendent spotlight
Summary
Students at Wappingers Junior High and Van Wyck Junior High presented their coffee-cart and Griffin Cafe programs — weekly, student-run enterprises that teach money handling, kitchen and social skills — during a superintendent spotlight at the board meeting.
At a superintendent spotlight segment, the Wappingers Central School District highlighted two life-skills programs run at its middle schools and heard student presentations demonstrating hands-on learning.
Dr. Dan Wilson, assistant superintendent for special education, described the programs as personalized experiences that build real-world skills. "Very excited to be here tonight to highlight our two life skills programs at our two middle schools," he said.
At Wappingers Junior High, communications teacher Catherine Ricker introduced the coffee cart: students write orders, prepare beverages, manage payments and make deliveries to adults in the building as a weekly activity that teaches money skills and social interaction. "Hi, I'm Catherine Ricker. I am a communications teacher at Wappingers Junior High School and my students and I do a coffee cart every Friday for all the adults in the building," Ricker told the board. Several students introduced themselves from the stage and described roles such as 'boss,' 'money' and 'deliveries.'
Van Wyck Junior High's Griffin Cafe was presented by assistant director Chad Richter and teacher Eva Latizia. Students described planning menus, baking, counting money and making deliveries; the group also showed a short video of its work and left a sample bag of cookies for the board. The board invited participating students and supporting staff forward for a photograph to celebrate the programs.
Trustees praised the programs for integrating general-education students with peers in special-education settings, and applauded staff who help run and publicize the work. The board offered thanks to principals and support staff for overseeing the programs.
The spotlight concluded with a round of applause and an affirmation from the board that these programs provide hands-on learning that supports both academic and social-emotional growth.
