‘Schoolhouse brew’ teaches bevy of lessons

MARION — Once a week, the staff at Oak Ridge Middle School is treated to drinks and baked goods, courtesy of about 12 students in the school's autism and life skills classrooms.

Students taking part in Schoolhouse Brew, as it is known, learn many things, according to Annette Saxion, the school's life skills teacher who helps run the program.

'It teaches so many skills: time management, measurement, reading, following directions,' Saxion said.

Saxion said she first helped launch the program at Excelsior Middle School about nine years ago. She brought the program to Oak Ridge when she transferred.

The program, Saxion said, is self-sufficient. The money it makes goes toward buying supplies and field trips to places such as Hy-Vee. During the Christmas season, students chose to give some of their funds to Camp Courageous.

In the life skills classroom, there is a stove and refrigerator which allows the students to make a range of items, such as sausage breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins, chocolate chip scones and rice krispie treats.

'Sometimes we rush and we need to slow down, and make sure they get this, and learn that,' Saxion said.

The students only are allowed to sell to staff.

'We have pretty regular customers,' Saxion said. 'It's great to have regular supporters. We definitely appreciate it. All grade levels purchase: sixth, seventh and eighth.'

In addition to helping prepare the food and learning about personal hygiene, kitchen safety and recycling, students are responsible for delivering it to their customers.

'They have a money bag and have to pay attention to how much the teachers are giving,' Saxion said. 'Sometimes they give the wrong amount on purpose to make sure (the students) are counting correctly.'

Saxion said sometimes, she has parents who are skeptical when their children first enter the program, whether preparing and selling food is a worthy use of time.

'But after three years they see growth in the student, that they are able to communicate better and advocate for themselves, and they see a lot of growth and independence,' Saxion said.