Mars Area High School introduced its “Independent Living Skills Apartment: Life Skills at its Finest” special education program at the start of the 2018-2019 School Year.
As part of the project, a high school classroom was converted into an “apartment,” complete with a mudroom, family room, office, living room, mock powder room, kitchen/dining room, and bedroom. Lowe’s Home Improvement supplied all of the needed materials, furniture and appliances; and, Pfeifer Hardware & Supply provided painting and renovation supplies.
“The objective of the program is to instruct students on how to be successful individuals, either living on their own and/or in a group home,” says Samantha Flanhofer, special education teacher, who was awarded a $21,554 Jack Buncher Foundation Bernita Buncher Educational Advancement Fund grant to complete the project. “(This project) gives the teachers ample opportunity to (provide) direct instruction in independent living skills.”
Having a mock apartment, will assist the students in developing knowledge on how to make a bed; prepare and serve meals; clean; schedule for time management; pay necessary bills; and to care for their belongings, says Flanhofer, adding that the project will enable students with cognitive disabilities to improve their ability to live independently, which can be a major obstacle for these students.
The overall project also included three additional components:
- Rocket Fuel Café — Students are running a coffee shop, serving Java Bean coffee to staff members and fellow students. Through the café, students learn about set-up and close-down procedures, taking inventory, accounting for sales, and how to make and serve refreshments.
- Bank/Post Office — At the Bank, students learn how to make deposits/withdrawal, manage accounts, and to pay “mock” utility bills. At the Post Office, students learn how to purchase stamps as well as to address and mail envelopes.
- Academic Room — Students receive direct reading and mathematics instruction.
For more information, contact Flanhofer at (724) 625-1581.