Karyn Rolling’s classroom is a place where life lessons trump history lessons, internships are mandatory, and thankfully, so are Friday lunch parties.
It is an environment conducive to much more than just learning, this is a place where student are experiencing.
“The goal is to prepare these kids to transition into the community,” Rolling said. “We are keying on improving their strengths instead of focusing on their weaknesses.”
The 14 Niagara Falls High School special education students receive a hands-on approach to learning, in an attempt to prepare them for what life might be like after graduation.
“The bottom line is these kids will most likely not be going to college,” Rolling said. “They will be entering the workforce, and this class is designed to help them be successful there.”
And it’s working.
Rolling said in the past three years students in her functional skills class have had various internships at a number of stores in the Fashion Outlets of Niagara.
“We have had kids working at Honey’s Pizzeria, Old Navy, Wimpy’s Subs and the Sports Collector’s Corner,” she said.
Donald Brown, an 18-year-old senior, discussed opportunities he has had to volunteer at Memorial Medical Center and the Salvation Army, but described the thought of possibly receiving an internship at the Sports Collector’s Corner as “awesome.”
Even on a cold and rainy Friday afternoon, Rolling’s classroom was bustling with work.
The smell of French toast was coming from a group of students preparing food for the weekly lunch party.
Across the room several students surrounded by envelopes and mail crates were working on putting together a mailing for the Niagara Falls Police Athletic League.
“It’s all about give and take,” Rolling said. “That’s something we really want to teach them. When we help P.A.L with their mailings, they in-turn allow us to use their van to take trips outside of the building.”
The class invites a guest of honor to each of their lunch-time gatherings. This week the class hosted Officers Neil Stenzel and Daniel Jones from the Niagara Falls Police Department.
Stenzel said he has watched this class over the past few years and the way these kids work impresses him.
“A lot of times you can’t sit down with kids and just talk to them,” he said. “These kids are open and talkative and they are just some of the best kids you’ll ever meet.”
While cooking may be something the class looks forward to each week, the class said they have their sights on something bigger.
Samantha MacDonald, 18, talked about how she wants to see the Statue of Liberty and the lights of Times Square.
It may become possible through Rolling’s class.
The class has established a club at the school that allows them to manage the lunchroom vending machines.
The students are required to purchase the items, stock the machine, collect the money, and, like Rolling teaches them, it’s all give and take.
“They are keeping inventory, counting money, stocking the machines, ordering products, it is a great lesson in entrepreneurial skills,” said Niagara Falls High School Principal James Spanbauer. “By running the machines the kids are learning valuable lessons.”
With the profits earned from the machines, the class is aiming for a trip to the Big Apple, and nothing that they cook up on Friday’s could taste sweeter.
“It would feel cool if we could go because we had to do all the work to get us there,” Brown said.
Rolling said her students aren’t finished there.
They also aid in various other tasks throughout the building to earn credits for senior year-related events.
Spanbauer said that they credits earned can do anything from pay for their yearbook, pay for them to go to prom or even something as basic as their cap and gown.
“Although the approach this class takes is not a traditional educational experience, it will prepare these kids for life after high school and that’s key,” Spanbauer said.
Nick Mattera is a contributor to the Gazette.
Communities
Related Photos
-
Karyn Rolling, left, and student Crystal Williams stock items in a vending machine Wednesday at Niagara Falls High School. Falls students in Karyn Rolling’s class are selling items out of a cafeteria vending machine to raise money for a trip and help needy students.
-
Karyn Rolling, left, assigns tasks to her students, from left, Anthony Frail, Samantha MacDonald, Carlos Lopez, Erick Lee, Kendred Scott, Lucien Buck, Crystal Williams and Donald Brown. Niagara Falls High School students in Karyn Rolling’s class are selling items out of a cafeteria vending machine to raise money for a trip and help needy students.
-
Eric Lee, left, Crystal Williams, center and Donald Brown, stock items in a student-run vending machine.
-
James Neiss/staff photographer Samantha MacDonald searches for goodies to stock in a student-run vending machine.
FALLS SCHOOLS: A lesson in give and take
District offers hands-on approach to learning for this special class
- Communities
-
-
Niagara USA Chamber hosts awards ceremony Thursday
Politicians, civic leaders, friends and family gathered to mingle over food and drinks, and recognize members of the small business community at the Niagara Falls Country Club on Thursday.
-
A Festival of Lights making a comeback?
Move over Niagara Holiday Market.
Make way for the return of A Festival of Lights?
-
Falls officials unveil new LaSalle Waterfront Park
John Mikula has been working for years to turn the prime piece of real estate on the upper Niagara River into a public recreation space residents of all ages can enjoy.
-
Driver safety message driven home
The Grim Reaper paid a visit to Niagara Falls High School on Monday to illustrate a point about driver safety.
A student dressed up like death himself patrolled the scene of a mock traffic accident in the high school's rear parking lot as part of a program designed to send a message about the dangers of drinking while driving and distracted driving.
-
City getting exercise stations for elderly at Hyde Park
Senior citizens will have a new way to stay fit in Hyde Park this summer.
Exercise stations specifically designed for the elderly and handicapped will be installed over the coming weeks, thanks to a $25,000 health and wellness grant from New York state. -
Relay for Life continues to grow in the Falls
Sometimes, you just need to smile.
That's the message 6-year-old Madisyn Tolfa delivered at the fourth-annual Niagara Falls Relay for Life event at Sal Maglie Stadium Friday.
-
Falls' Relay For Life giving cancer the boot
If cancer is ever going to be beaten, there are some who believe it could be beaten by feet.
-
Playing up Griffon Park in LaSalle
Mayor Paul Dyster announced plans for a new playground in Griffon Park to a small group of civic leaders and city employees Tuesday morning.
-
Aquarium of Niagara: Newly arrived rescued harbor seal seems right at home
The little harbor seal couldn’t know how lucky she is.
Two years ago she was found off the coast of Masschusetts, frail and emaciated, and disoriented from an inner ear infection. She couldn’t feed herself and was near death.
-
Charlie the Chimp on ‘How I Met Your Mother’ tonight
Niagara Falls’ own Charlie the Chimp will appear on tonight’s episode of “How I Met Your Mother” at 8 p.m. on CBS, channel 4, according to handler Carmen Presti.
- More Communities Headlines
-
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
