St. Matt’s shows off work-based learning, community connections

Engagement event invites families to explore unique program, meet with educators

  Student John Marco led a group of four students and several parents and aides down the sidewalk along Mamaroneck Avenue, right to the door of Raymond Opticians. Before going in, though, he pointed a spray bottle at the glass and began squeegeeing it clean. This is his routine every time he comes here, an aide explained to his mom, who admitted she’d never seen him perform task like that at home.

Inside, the students showed off their job skills. They proudly showed where they stock the eyeglasses on the wall, where the inventory is organized in the back, and how things work behind the counter.

The excursion was a key part of a recent Work-Based Learning Parent Engagement Event at St. Matthew’s School. The event was an opportunity for parents to see firsthand the work skills their children learn daily in the classroom and in the community. Business partners who provide work opportunities took the time to visit and meet with parents.

“We love having the kids in our shop,” said Big Apple Smoothie owner Jim Demetrios. “We love supporting SWBOCES, and most importantly, we love sharing the process for making smoothies with them.”

 “They are very good,” Raymond Opticians’ Erica Morra told parents. “There’s always something for students to do. If they can’t do one thing, we find another thing for them.”

The event served as a celebration of students’ hard work, a chance to explore their projects, and an opportunity for parents to engage in discussions about their children’s learning. 

Principal Diana Dinzey led a forum that connected parents with aides Hazel Degree and Demetria Thomas, who lead the work-based programs, and the community partners, whose businesses she encouraged parents to support.

Ms. Dinzey said a concerted effort is made to allow students to learn outside the classroom. 

“We want to support your children, but we also want to push them to do things that will help them as adults.”

Nine parents attended the midday gathering to see the St. Matthew’s programs firsthand.

“I love how everyone is so caring,” parent Lillian Samuels said. “They’re so into the kids.”

“I’m very impressed how they are teaching them life skills the are going to need,” said parent Cherry Byrd, whose son Caleb works at Raymond Opticians. “I want him to be happy and learn things he’s going to need in life.”