Students in algebra, marketing and Life Skills classes at Churchville-Chili High School have been working towards a common goal for several months: planning the school’s first student-operated Coffee Cart. The joint venture was launched successfully on March 17, and the hope is that the new Friday morning service will continue.
Staffed by a customer service team from Special Education teacher Margaret Brongo’s Life Skills class, the cart offers freshly brewed coffee plus hot cocoa and tea options. The students hit the hallways at 7:30 a.m., personally delivering beverage orders to teachers and staff members. The young entrepreneurs brighten the morning with smiles and polite good humor as they greet and help each customer with their order, handle cash payments, and make correct change.
“It is a real opportunity for these students to practice communication and social skills, as well as learning how to use money and technology,” said Brongo. “They are applying the soft skills they will need for employment, like time management and successfully interacting with coworkers, supervisors and customers. Since we’ve started, they have already developed initiative, and they have strong pride in their work.”
The Coffee Cart was in the planning stages for several months. Teacher Nancy McMahon’s ninth-grade algebra class wrote a preliminary business survey, tabulated responses, and modeled profits and cost equations. They will also analyze collected data to make continuing business decisions.
Career Management teacher Laura Speis gave her marketing class the task of writing a business plan and designing marketing materials. The Life Skills class, with help from teaching assistant Laurie Kalwas, collects the week’s preorders and prepares the cart for each day’s sales.
The school’s instructional coach, Andrea Lynch, helped coordinate the Coffee Cart project.
The district is grateful for support from the community, which has made the project possible. Donations have been received from Tim Hortons (coffee for the first month), the Upstate Niagara Cooperative (creamers), Sirness Vending Services (pump pots) and Wegmans (gift card). The district’s Director of Nutritional Services Roberta D’Agostino plans to donate a coffee brewer and aprons for the delivery team.
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