Starbucks Beware
By Dr. Marciene Mattleman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The teacher wanted a cash register and the school staff surprised Arlene Carbone-Brown by granting her wish. Carbone-Brown is a special education teacher at Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, who dreamed up Cava Java, a coffee house as a teaching experience for her students.
Students with learning disabilities, autism, and Down Syndrome run the café, now a highlight of the school. Teachers love their morning coffee, and as popularity has increased, 10-20 dozen doughnuts are sold weekly, along with fruit, and other beverages.
The project pays for itself - students order supplies, record sales, compose grocery lists, make deliveries, along with learning about appearance, body language, tone and social cues. Flowers and music make Cava Java a pleasant place to meet.
A write-up of the program cautioned "Starbucks Beware", brought visitors and honor from the Montgomery Council of PTAs.
Read more about wonderful program in the Washington Post.
