A new student-run life skills project, Starbees, began at Pieter B. earlier this month. The students in the LASO program, which works with students in grades K-5 on language and social skills and with students on the autism spectrum, are selling coffee, tea, and hot chocolate to Pieter B. staff once a week. The project is to build math and communication skills while raising money to support the regional foodbank and other charitable causes that the students decide on.
The project idea has been in development for a few months with some help and collaboration from RCS High School students and a member of the RCS District staff. To kick off, the students workshopped their ideas with Jesse Boehme, the RCS School Business Administrator. They discussed budgeting and record-keeping to ensure their project would be a success.
Collaboratively, the group then developed a name for the project, "Starbees," a mash-up of a well-known coffee chain and the Pieter B. mascot, the bee. Once the project had a name, the students met with High School Art Honors Society students, under Art teacher Christina Wallace, to design a logo for their marketing, cups, and aprons. The Honors Society worked with students in LASO to sketch out ideas for what image would best represent their new project. The group ultimately decided on a bee-themed logo, in keeping with their namesake.
Marketing was their final step before opening day, with students creating a commercial to encourage online orders. The coffee cart opened on Friday, January 5th, with two students from the LASO program leading the way, handing out online orders and working the cash box. The program has been a massive success, with the group even adding packaged snacks to the cart to sell with beverages.
The project is under the guidance of Hannah Barry, Alex Hilker, and Melinda White. It's a fantastic example of how student-led initiatives can make an impact while helping students build valuable life skills.
Check out photos of Starbees here.