Soon enough the small glass room in the entrance of the school will be filled with hard-working DECA students, and all of the TLC programs’ future bakers.
In the past, Triton had a TLC Cafe that was open throughout the week for staff members, but it fell through due to the COVID pandemic. When one of Triton’s business teachers Mr. Fransisco Torres began working at Triton he had the idea to bring it back. His involvement with DECA has pushed his idea further with wanting to build up the store again in support of the program but also give students of TLC (Transitional Learning Center, a self contained classroom for students with special needs) experience in a work environment.
“I want to make sure all students are receiving employment skills so they can transition from high school to a part-time or full-time job,” said Torres.
Torres has been teaching at Triton for three years now and teaches five different business courses. He loves to be involved in the school community and is always making sure his students are as well. At the two previous schools he has worked at, Madison Park High School and Greater Lawrence High School he has started a school store, school cafe, and a school bank. All of these stores were run by the students and the experience taught them many valuable skills. Torres believes can create a successful cafe here at Triton with the support of the students.
The DECA and TLC students will be working alongside each other during the day. Taking shifts running the register and serving customers.
The Viking Cafe will support the DECA program with funding for its events. All of their conferences, events, and travel can get expensive. So, a portion of the revenue from the store will go towards helping students pay for the trip. The other portion of the revenue will go towards the TLC program for any materials they need. The program is a great opportunity for the students to create a work history and gain life skills. It will allow all of them to collaborate with the gen-ed students and help them prepare for the future, he said.
The TLC students are given tasks that they are intrinsically motivated to do. They are all given resources and guidance for what they are interested in succeeding in. Many of them will enjoy serving the goods and interacting with the public, while others prefer packaging and putting the goods together, and then there are those who love working behind the scenes and baking all the goods that will be served.
Rebecca Takesian is a special education teacher and transition specialist here at Triton. She works with the 18 to 22 year old TLC students and provides them with life and employability skills. Takesian is very passionate about her job and loves making the students’ dreams a reality by giving them the experience to pursue their career passions.
“We want to give them the ability to choose what they want to do in the community,” said Mrs.Takesian.
During the school day, the Viking Cafe will only be open to all staff members. However, when the last bell of the day rings it will open up to students.
In the cafe there will be many different options. They will have drinks like tea and coffee, with additives like sugar, creams, and milk. There will also be baked goods made by the TLC students. They will bake muffins, cookies, cakes, seasonal items, as well as foods that show off their culture. There will also be sandwiches, chips, fruits, and vegetables available. There will be allergy friendly options as well.
Currently, the Viking Cafe is set to be up and running by the end of the first term. DECA and TLC students are hard at work, wanting to get started on serving the community. More information about the Viking Cafe will be available to all students and staff closer to the opening day.
The TLC and DECA students can not wait to get the Viking Cafe up and running for Triton.
