DURHAM — Oyster River Middle School students are gaining the perfect blend of hands-on work training and life skills each Wednesday when they brew coffee and prepare treats for staff and teachers.
Under the supervision of Special Education Teacher Robin Grondin, Occupational Therapist Sarah Wilson and Nurse Cheryl Thibodeau, students run the weekly Coffee Connection out of the second-floor kitchen, offering hot beverages like the King of Caramel, baked goods and school spirit to employees.
“We began this project to provide a way for our students to practice their social communication and functional life skills,” Grondin said. “What we have seen develop over time is a team of determined, hard-working students who practice these and many other skills while also spreading joy to our school staff.”
Through this innovative program, students are learning:
- Communication and social skills such as greeting customers, listening, making eye contact, writing, creating flyers, and making conversation.
- Business skills including tracking inventory, project development and data analysis.
- Math skills like measuring, sequencing, data collection, and budgeting.
- Life skills such as following directions, creating a weekly grocery list, and cleaning the kitchen.
Students love being a part of Coffee Connection, a place where they can gain real-world experience, interact with staff on a more personal level and have a good time.
“I think it is fun. I get paid for it in ‘fun.’ It’s called knowledge mixed with fun,” said Madeline Provencher, a sixth-grade student.
Fifth-grader Damon Shafer said his favorite part is making special coffee concoctions like the King of Caramel and Melody of Mocha.
Other students enjoy the interaction with staff members.
“I see teachers in a fun way, ” said Abby Wyckoff, a seventh-grade student.
“Seeing how Coffee Connection helps our students cultivate new skills makes me incredibly proud of our team,” Director of Student Services Catherine Plourde said. “I give Robin Grondin, Sarah Wilson, and Cheryl Thibodeau a special shoutout for creating this impactful opportunity for our students and school staff.”
Principal Bill Sullivan said he’s been impressed with the success of the program and is thrilled to see the enthusiasm among students and staff to create and maintain such a unique opportunity for the school community.
“It’s inspiring to see our students and staff being innovative and entrepreneurial while having fun and creating an impactful community service project,’’ Principal Sullivan said. “This is just one of the exciting initiatives at Oyster River Middle School that fosters an experiential learning environment.’’
The Oyster River Middle School in Durham serves students in grades 5-8 in the Oyster River Cooperative School District.
ORMS students gain hands-on work training and life skills while working at the school’s weekly coffee shop, Coffee Connection. (Photo Courtesy Oyster River Cooperative School District) 
ORMS students run the coffee shop’s operations while learning “real life” skills. (Photo Courtesy Oyster River Cooperative School District) 
ORMS students offer hot beverages like the King of Caramel, baked goods and school spirit to employees. (Photo Courtesy Oyster River Cooperative School District) 
Coffee Connection allows students to interact with staff on a more personal level while gaining hands-on work training. (Photo Courtesy Oyster River Cooperative School District)