Life Skills Students learn to cook and run school restaurant

As a high school teacher for students with moderate mental disabilities, I feel it is essential for them to learn practical and functional skills so they can become more independent and successful. One of the basic functions of life, that many of us take for granted, is cooking. The concept leads to so many other forms of education for students: going to the grocery store, clipping coupons, staying within a budget, measuring, following directions, cleaning, sanitation, proper hygiene, the list goes on. Expanding on this idea, I am proposing to create a school based restaurant run by the Life Skills students. The students will be responsible for preparing and serving food and cleaning afterwards. The skills will be based upon the Life Skills curriculum. In the past, my classroom situation has not been conducive to teaching these skills as needed. The previous school year I was in a mobile unit and was soon moved to an old Home Economics room. Unfortunately, we were sent to a small classroom without proper facilities. In 1997, when the law was passed that all students (including those with moderate to severe disabilities) had to be educated in the same school as their same age peers, my high school was not prepared for the unique needs of the learners from the Life Skills class. Finally after six years in the local high school, the Life Skills program has permanent facilities to assist in the education of these special students. In August of 2006, a kitchen facility with dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, and hot water had been supplied for the program. I would like for my students to cook at least one time a week, whether it be for teachers during their planning period or for the administration. To do this we need money so that we can build a bank account and have enough to supply our new kitchen and start cooking to raise money to continue our life skills lessons. The supplies needed include a mixer, coffee maker, pantry items, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and bakeware. The appliances and the pantry items are needed in getting the kitchen ready for a school-based restaurant. As a third year teacher I, and the other staff working in the class, are enthused and ready to get the 16 students in the kitchen. It will give them recognition in our school and a sense of accomplishment that will be immeasurable.