Growing network of partnerships expands work opportunities for students
St. Matthew’s partners with Big Apple Smoothie, Party City to provide real-world experience
The number of real-world vocational opportunities for Southern Westchester BOCES students continues to grow thanks to new and expanding partnerships with local businesses.
These include Party City in White Plains, where SWBOCES students from St. Matthew’s School have begun working this school year, and Big Apple Smoothie, whose owner Jim Demetros is committed to community outreach and supporting local schools and programs. They join longtime partners like Raymond Opticians and White Plains Bakery in a network of job site locations where SWBOCES students develop skills that will serve them long after graduation.
“It pulls on one’s heart strings,” Mr. Demetros said of his desire to partner with SWBOCES. “You feel for these kids. You want to help them.”
On a recent weekday morning, students Oscar and Yaretsi went to work. Yaretsi wiped down counters and tables while Oscar cleaned blenders and even prepared orders under a manager’s supervision.
Three educators from St. Matthew’s escorted the students to work. Instruction begins with the walk through downtown, navigating directions and intersections, and continues with what they need to do on arrival. The pair worked with wide smiles, showing initiative when they knew what to do next and pausing occasionally for direction.
“We want to ensure that the time our students spend at our school is a reflection of and a preparation for adulthood,” Ms Dinzey said of the workplace partnerships. “So we want to give them a lot of the realistic experiences they are going to need to accomplish independence.”
“They focus on the transition from school to job sites, the interactions with employers and customers, and on finishing a shift and returning to school,” Ms. Dinzey said.
These are things that we take for granted in our daily lives that our students are learning to master through these work-based experiences, she added.
At Party City, students Larry, Aalijah, Bradley and Nick arrive by bus a half-hour before the store opens, eager to get to work. They put customer returns back on shelves, check expiration dates on food items and generally organize things.
“I think it’s a great program, said store manager Laurie Scipioni.
Ms. Scipioni has long partnered with SWBOCES, welcoming Valhalla Center students to work in her White Plains Road store. She was pleased to grow that partnership this year with St. Matthew’s. She also partners with another organization to provide work opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Ms. Hazel re-directed Larry from another activity to organizing a display of Thanksgiving decorations. He’s excited to be here, and the activity helps him direct his focus.
The idea, says Nelson Diaz, a Teacher Aide in the program, is to ensure each student is doing work that best fits their strengths while also challenging them.
“These are life skills they can take with them wherever they go,” Mr. Diaz said.
“It’s a commitment, a lot of work, but it’s something I believe in and want to see succeed,” said Ms. Scipioni, who added that she enjoys building relationships with the students.
Mr. Demetros at Big Apple Smoothie agrees. It’s about finding ways to give back and, in the case of St. Matthew’s, helping students to grow and improve.
“It’s a logical extension of what we do to say, what can we do to help these kids,” he said.
