COORE FEE, the Central High School District’s coffee shop run by students in the special education program housed at Calhoun High School, took their business on the road on Feb. 16.

A team of more than a dozen students and staff members traveled to another school in district school, Mepham High School, and set up a shop outside of the cafeteria, peddling coffee, hot chocolate and sweet treats. The trip was organized by COORE teacher/COORE FEE faculty adviser Anthony Rizzo and Calhoun Special Education Chairperson Melissa Rohr.

“While the goal is to always promote functional, life-skills experiences for students, this also is an opportunity to promote socialization, integration and inclusivity,” said Rohr.

The COORE Fee coffee business started in 2019 and was designed to be an opportunity for students to gain vocational experience while in school.

The store is open at Calhoun on Tuesdays and Thursdays during first and second period. However, Rohr said they hope to eventually bring COORE FEE to every building in the district at some point.

“We do incredible work in all of our buildings in Bellmore-Merrick and it is exciting to find ways to integrate with peers and staff in each of the schools,” she added.

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Date Added: 2/16/2024