There is a new business on the campus of Albion Central School District, and it’s one that serves up smiles while teaching students valuable life skills.
The Eagles Express is an idea high school teacher Kathy Winans thought of and Community Schools Program coordinator Toni Plummer helped bring to life with a grant. Students in Winans’ class cook breakfast items and offer them up to staff members for a small fee. Orders are submitted throughout the week, the kids work in the kitchen on Thursdays and the meals are handed out on Fridays.
“I always thought it would be neat to do a small business venture,” said Winans. “The grant funds it right now which got it up and running and we got our supplies and everything.”
After securing the funds, the classroom’s teachers went through all the health department requirements and then the business was ready to begin. Alumni from the class also come in to help out as the students learn an array of skills like cooking, customer service and accounting.
“It’s hard to count all the money and write it all down on paper,” said student Zachary Abel.
Winans commented that it’s been enjoyable watching the students’ skills grow and that it’s been great welcoming alumni back in.
The business started out only in the high school, but after a thermal delivery bag was purchased, staff members from the district office were included. The hope is that the Eagles Express will eventually serve the entire campus.
Funds benefit the Special Olympics Club which helps pay for events throughout the year like Thanksgiving dinner, theater performances, field trips and whatever else the students may need. Once the grant money runs out, the Eagles Express will be a self-sustaining enterprise. Early success indicates the business has been well received thus far.
Abel said the response from teachers and staff has been that the food tastes good and they are thankful for the delicious breakfast sandwiches.
The venture has not only been successful as a new business, but has also set the students up to be successful in life after graduation.
“It truly blends all the life skills and academics that we work on into one unit to make it functional,” said Winans. “It’s something they could do in the future. They could work in a retail location or a small restaurant because they’ll have had that experience.”
The Community Schools Program works to address the academic, social, emotional and health needs of students and families throughout the district through different programs and events with the goal of benefiting the community as a whole.
