Prior to school closure, West Fresno Middle School staff and students were proud to open “The Eagle Cafe,” an on-site job skills preparation program for students. Through the program, students learn about food preparation and safety by creating and serving coffee drinks for staff.
Teachers, Dr. Brad Black, and Matt Fox dreamed up the cafe and secured a grant through a local business owner to make it happen. Together with school Psychologist Valerie Woodward, these teachers put together a job skills program for students.
“This opportunity has increased student engagement, inclusion, reduced behavior, building social skills, is relevant and meaningful, and sparks student thinking about the workforce and earning money,” stated West Fresno Middle School Principal Prince Marshall. The students have enjoyed learning about making coffee, taking o++rders and practicing handling money as a real-world job skills.