Think school breakfasts are boring? Think again! This year Seaford Middle School students have the opportunity to find something really exciting in their breakfast bag-a Golden Ticket! The Seaford Middle School Life Skills class, working in connection with the Seaford Middle School cafeteria, has launched a new program called the Golden Ticket, and it’s already been a big hit!
The way it works is pretty simple. During random days Golden Tickets appear in the breakfast bags passed out. Each ticket can be redeemed in the Life Skills room for a prize! Breakfast bags at SMS are no longer just a meal, but an experience.
“We’ve had some really happy kids coming through here,” exclaimed SMS Life Skills co-teacher Liz Elder. “The kids have been streaming in to jump in the breakfast line and our class enjoys seeing it all come together.”
As the new school year started, the Life Skills class, along with some students from the OHI and Autism programs, continued their work with the cafeteria crew. Life Skills co-teacher Jack Rodgers explained that the class decided to take their breakfast bag prep to another level.
“We were just kicking around an idea to spice up things some,” he explained “We thought about putting tickets in the in the breakfast bags that kids could redeem for prizes, and the kids and SMS cafeteria manager Ms. Butler loved the idea. Mr. Cave let us run with it and it’s just taken off.”
The students love it as well.
“It’s awesome,” said SMS Life Skills student Kevion Epps, an eighth grader. “We really love going down and doing the bags.” Alyssa LaPierre, also an eighth grade SMS student agreed, saying “We really like seeing and working with the cafeteria ladies.”
The kids aren’t the only ones happy with the program. Ms. Judith Bruns, assistant principal at SMS explained that the numbers of students actually getting breakfast now has shot up, which is certainly a win for education.
“Eating breakfast helps our students be more alert and ready to learn when they get to class,” she explained. “All Seaford Middle School students are reaping the benefits of the partnership between our extraordinary nutrition staff and our life skills students.”
But the Golden Ticket isn’t the only other new program the class has taken. Weather permitting, the Life Skills students are going to be washing cars!
The brainchild of SMS principal Jim Cave, the class will be picking up a host of vocational skills washing and vacuuming out cars. The students will start out with selected district vehicles and carts, with the aim of offering the service to more as their skills grow. Skills aside, though, it’s pretty fun!
“It’s great,” exclaimed SMS Life Skills student Zayden Jordan-Harris. “I really like it, and it makes me feel like I have a real job. And Mr. Cave didn’t even spray us!”
These new programs combine with The Blue Jay Buffet program and Blue Jay Express programs that were started last year, offer the class a world of opportunity.
“Our Life Skills program has grown tremendously the last two years,” exclaimed SMS principal Jim Cave. “Thanks to the hard work of Jack and Liz, the program has greatly improved. We are so proud of not only the social advances and work study programs now available to our students, but the learning jumps our students have made as well.”
Things are really cooking at SMS this year. Look for more programs and experiences coming up soon! Until then, don’t forget to look behind that juice box. It might be your Golden Ticket Day!
- Mr. Rodgers, Life Skills Teacher