As the school year kicked back into gear, that meant the opening of Cafe 116 as well. The cafe opened for business on Thursday, Sept. 12. The cafe is open during Personalized Learning Time (PLT) from the time 1:50 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and will be open through the rest of the school year. The cafe is run by students in the Life Skills class, with the assistance of Life Skills teacher, Ms. Abigayle Pritchard.
“My first goal for these students is to help prepare them for employment, so it is job training within the classroom,” Pritchard said. “While doing so we also get to build relationships and interact with all school members; both teachers and students.”
The cafe allows for the life skills students to gain experience for their futures by participating in running a business, skills such as; communication, leadership, teamwork and responsibility. These skills are crucial for these students so they can build real world skills to prepare them for their future careers..
As well as running the cafe, during the school year, the students in the life skills class get to travel to places outside of the school to gain job experience at other businesses. These experiences at other businesses allow for the students to have exposure to real-life scenarios when working at a business or at a job. So far the class has traveled to Pizza Joe’s in Beaver on Oct. 1 and the Coffee Beanery located in Monaca on Oct. 8. Every Tuesday the life skills class travels to a new place to help a business and gain more experience.
“The students practice communicating with customers, money management, and following drink recipes within Cafe 116. Students are also reminded to work as a team and ask for help when needed. Mastering these skills is crucial for daily life and will help ensure a smooth transition for my students entering employment upon graduation,” Pritchard said.
Cafe 116 offers numerous items for students to purchase, including hot or iced coffee, specialty flavored lemonade or classic and hot chocolate. Occasionally the cafe offers baked goods students help make as well, such as cookies or brownies. As well as these items, during each month, the cafe puts out a seasonal menu each month. For example, for Oct. the cafe offered fall-themed drinks such as a pumpkin spice-flavored coffee and the ‘Jack-O’-Lantern’ lemonade, which was orange flavored.
“I love that the cafe includes the life skills students interacting with everyone and learning every day,” Harmony Martin (12) said.
Every Friday of every month, students from the life skills class take teachers’ drink orders and hand-deliver them to teachers. This allows for the students to interact with each and every teacher, allowing for special bonds to form.
The cafe is loved by many; students in the class, teachers and the student body. Not only does the cafe allow for students and teachers to enjoy a treat, but it also allows for the students running the cafe to gain crucial job experience.