A cup of coffee can go a long way.
Just serving coffee and breakfast items from a smiling face can not only bring smiles from customers but also be a valuable lesson for students at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
This new service, called “Panther Perk,” is delivered by students involved in the high school’s Employment Orientation Program.
The students and their service are managed by Annie Higgins, a highly dedicated Special Education Teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
Ms. Higgins explained the program, which is popular throughout school districts in the United States.
“Special education programs all over the country host coffee carts or other 'micro businesses' selling coffee or other consumables to school staff in an effort to increase student engagement, promote socialization and develop vocational and other skills for students with developmental disabilities,’ Ms. Higgins said.
She further explained how the program got brewing at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
“Here at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, we have the same goals for students, but face the challenge of respecting the contract we have with our food service provider, Maschio’s. Under that contract, no food items are to be sold during the school day.”
She praised Adam Leaman, an Assistant Principal at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, who stepped in with a solution.
“Adam Leaman’s creative and supportive idea was to sell Maschio’s own delicious products with an added delivery charge. This way, Maschio’s makes a small profit, as does our Special Education Multiple Disabilities program. More importantly, we make strides towards the goals mentioned above.”
Ms. Higgins broke down the entire operation.
“I work with my class to develop a menu for each 'B day.” The menu features hot and cold drinks and a featured pastry, prepared and packaged by Maschio’s. Pastries have included coffee cake, cinnamon buns, cranberry scones, and muffins. The menu is sent to staff through “The Thursday Staffroom,” and staff order via a Google form. Students also hang colorful menus throughout campus, which link to a QR code order form,” she explained.
Ms. Higgins' class compiles a large order and communicates it to Maschio’s, which prepares the items.
“On the morning of delivery, “Panther Perk” employees don their personalized aprons, a gift from Mr.Leaman. They go to the cafeteria to receive the order, package the order into four classroom “zone” delivery systems and then set out to classrooms and offices. Students enter staff spaces with a smile and present their items. Staff pay with cash or with a pre-paid “punch card” and receive their drinks and/or pastries to enjoy in the comfort of their offices or classrooms,” Ms. Higgins stated.
“Skills accessed through the Panther Perk include: counting and inventory, basic accounting, packaging and sorting, campus navigation, marketing, food safety and hygiene, greeting customers, articulation, teamwork, customer engagement and menu-planning,” Ms. Higgins said.
She also reported that money raised through the “Panther Perk” goes directly to community-based programs for these students. Twice weekly, Ms. Higgins brings her class to various community locations to obtain and practice skills for independent living in the areas of retail, restaurants, recreation, and community safety. There are non-traditional expenses associated with these experiences as students make purchases and use community resources.
Ms. Higgins is joined during the delivery service by fellow devoted Bridgewater-Raritan High School staff members Allison Lynch, Linda Shanagher-Bruno, Mamta Jain, and Jennifer Kole.
Ms. Higgins revealed that “she is thrilled that 'Panther Perk” is up and running on the Bridgewater-Raritan High School campus and thanks all of her colleagues for their support as they purchase items off our menus.
“This program is a great example of the vast opportunities that exist for all students, including those with developmental disabilities, here on a campus as large and diverse as ours. It is also a testament to the efforts made to “Teach them one and all” as opportunities for learning exist far beyond traditional classroom practices,” Ms. Higgins claimed.
She added:
“Huge thanks to Assistant Principal Adam Leaman for his support of this program, Principal Dan Hemberger for his leadership and the Bridgewater-Raritan High School PTO, who supplied some of the necessary items through a mini-grant. Also, to Tim Teeling and the Maschio’s team for their flexibility, collaboration and creativity in support of this program and the students it serves..”
“The 'Panther Perk” is here to stay and serve! We are B-R!"