COFFEE CART … Students stand with teachers Mrs. Schaffner and Mrs. Scherer as they get ready to serve students. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Jacob Kessler
Delta Middle School students participated in the school’s monthly coffee cart event. This time there was a twist though in that students were also able to place orders.
The Coffee Cart has normally been open to the staff members of the Delta school district. Students have seen the monthly event and wanted to participate as well.
The event is put on by Vicki Schaffner and Tammy Scherer in their classroom. Vicki explained that this event is important because it helps to teach students about important life skills.
Students learn about cooking the food, buying the food, keeping up on inventory levels, collecting and counting money, and more.
It also allows for the students to become more open when interacting with their customers.
The money earned by the coffee cart goes back to the classroom. It is used for curriculum items that are not paid for by the school and for field trips.
Expanding on the coffee cart, students will soon be taking a walking field trip to a local restaurant to take a tour, learn how to order from a menu, experience budgeting with a set amount of money, and learn how to communicate with staff members. Of course, eating food will be a part of the trip as well.
“The kids love doing this and it helps them to communicate verbally with people. I have seen huge growth from some children. One student would not talk to anyone before.”
“Now the student is the first person to greet people when they come in. It gives them self-confidence and makes them feel good,” said Vicki Schaffner.
Principal Pete Nafziger was also proud of all that the students were able to accomplish. “We are really proud of our students. This has been a student run business all year.”
“They have done everything from the planning, purchasing, sales and accounting. It has also helped to fund more of their activities and field trips.”
“Mrs. Schaffner and Mrs. Scherer have put countless hours in to encourage and enable their students to be successful.”
“They’ve taken a big risk and it has paid off in a big way. We are really proud of our panthers and what they’ve done this year.”
Students serving food at the coffee cart were happy to help as their peers came down to receive their order. After getting their order, students continued on to the cafeteria to enjoy their items.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com