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STEPPING STONES News fro m Nex t ST EP Fall 2011
Next STEP students thank firefighters to commemorate „9-11 Day of Service‟ Volume 3, Issue 1 September 2011
Inside this issue: Meet Next STEP
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Kathy‟s Comments Community Partners Program Photos
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Next STEP students spent the days leading up to the tenth anniversary of 9-11 learning about the terrorist attacks and their effect on the country. They learned of the bravery and sacrifices that took place the day of the attacks and the following weeks. After baking hundreds of cookies, students distributed platters of goodies to firefighters at six local fire stations in appreciation of their dedication and
Top right, Next STEP students package goodies for local firefighters. Below right, students delivered baskets to six nearby Phoenix fire stations as a service project.
Next STEP Culinary Arts Program Recognized by CTA Ed Association
Next STEP student Heather Hoffman‟s smile shows how much she enjoys taking part in work experience at Baker Wee in Glendale.
The Region V Career and Technical Education Association recognized Next STEP‟s Culinary Arts program as Program of the year in the group‟s 2011 Conference in Rapid City, So. Dakota earlier this year. Headed up by Chef Andy
Kuntz of Apollo High School, the program‟s focus is food safety and preparation. The two main goals of the program are: 1) provide students with handson knowledge of the basics of the food service industry, and 2)
See CTA Award, page 3
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Stepping Stones
This is Next STEP Welcome to Next STEP, where we help students develop skills necessary for independence within the community. Next STEP, which is a program of the Glendale Union High School District, has several important objectives:
To improve post-school outcomes and prepare students for meaningful employment or career-related post-secondary education To provide transition planning based on post-school goals and self-determination Interagency collaboration for post-school goals
Next STEP consists of three components: school-based learning; work-based learning; and connecting activities. One of many top priorities at Next STEP is to provide instruction in vocational skills as well as assistance with work experience and job training. Connecting activities increase student success by relating what is learned in the classroom to job and everyday activities. When a student arrives at our program with a desire to work in a specific field, the Next STEP job coach works to find just the right placement in local businesses such as movie theaters, hair salons, auto repair facilities and retirement communities. Such real-life work experience cannot be duplicated in a classroom. Another example of such connections in action is Next STEP student Heather Hoffman. After
taking part in Next STEP‟s award-winning Culinary Arts program, Heather expressed an interest in working in a bakery. And thanks to an existing community partnership with Baker Wee, Heather receives invaluable on-the-job training twice a week. For students who may not know where their interests lie, Next STEP provides a comprehensive trans-disciplinary voBaker Wee decorator Monica Sabia helps cational assessment with an emphasis on post-school planning. Next STEP student Heather Hoffman prepare brownies for sale. Students also obtain general cial skills, including selfwork experience in enclaves at confidence, which, in turn, adds local retail stores accompanied to feelings of self-worth. Such by a staff person. authentic work experience preThis part of our program inpares these young men and womcludes students like Ben, who en for employment after our proenjoys work experience at a local gram. In addition to benefiting K-Mart. Ben and other students students directly, it is important that individuals with developmental disabilities be seen as productive members of society. “For students who may Classes also focus on social not know where their skills, cooking, shopping and interests lie, Next STEP budgeting necessary for independent living. provides a comprehensive Next STEP provides students trans-disciplinary with post-program assistance for vocational assessment employment and to continue with an emphasis on their education or training. We also link students with post-school planning.” community services such as Department of Developmental Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitaunpack shipments of shoes and tion, and Arizona Bridge to Indeprepare them for display – no pendent Living – organizations easy task – and affix security tags that are necessary for a successful to various merchandise. transition from our program to Work experience helps stueveryday living. dents gain crucial workplace so-
Volume 3, Issue 1
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Next STEP: Real Life 101 By Kathy Goodwin, M.A., Next STEP Facilitator
Next STEP is about readying our young people for real life. As we help students become part of the community, they should take part in every way, from learning to accept appropriate help to being the one to offer it. Although the term “giving back” has almost turned into a cliché, it is, in fact, a civic duty – and not one to be taken lightly. Which is exactly why we took part in the “9-11 Day of Service” proclaimed by President Obama. Our initial Day of Service project involved thanking our local public servants. But first, in the days leading up to the tenth anniversary of 9-11, Next STEP students and staff came together as a group to look back at the tragic events. Remembering the more than
300 firefighters that died that day, we decided to thank our local firefighters for their service.
“Students should take part in every way, from learning to accept appropriate help, to being the one to offer it.” Students baked hundreds of cookies and gathered treats, then packed baskets decorated with red, white and blue ribbon, then headed out to local fire stations. Firefighters were genuinely surprised and happy to see our students. One group was even treated to a ride in a fire truck! Coming up this month is “Make a Difference Day” Oct. 22. In another connecting activity
and learning opportunity, we are in the midst of a blanket drive for the Valley’s homeless population. Students are learning how to give back and think about the plight of others. After washing and folding blankets, students tie them up with a cheerful bow before distribution. While we are thinking of those around us, we cannot forget our community partnerships. Without local businesses, our students would miss out on crucial work experience that just can’t be experienced in the classroom. For a list of local businesses that provide work experience for our students, see below. Please consider patronizing these businesses and tell them you appreciate what they do for Next STEP!
The following businesses provide Next STEP students with invaluable work experience: Baker Wee
MD Auto Doctor
Beatitudes Campus
K-Mart, I-17 & Northern Ave.
Beatitudes Age-Link
Savers, 35th Ave. & Bell Rd.
Cinema 8
Sears Metrocenter
Glencroft Retirement Comm. Tender Times Daycare GUHSD Bus Barn
Tropical Treasures
Fellowship Square
Thunderbird High School
Hair Expressions
Thunderbird Resort Will Loftus works at community partner Thunderbird Retirement Center.
CTA Award, cont. from page 1 to prepare students for gainful employment in an entry level industry position. Several Next STEP students who took part in the program have secured industry internships. Kathy Goodwin, Next STEP facilitator, and Kuntz
traveled to South Dakota for the presentation. “We are so grateful to the Association of Career and Technical Education for recognizing our efforts,” said Kathy Goodwin, Next STEP facilitator. “More importantly, students are benefiting from this unique opportunity.”
Top right, Next STEP students wrap cookies to give to local fire-fighters. Middle right, an instructional aide works with a student to staple a stack of papers he collated. Below right, students stitch panels together to create pumpkins.
Next STEP success story
Above, David Anderson takes a quick break at Cinema 8. The former Next STEP student was hired by the movie theater after he completed work experience through the Next STEP program.
S TEPPING S TONES News from Next STEP, a program of the
Glendale Union High School District Editor: Jean Bihn
Next STEP
1950 W. Thunderbird Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023
Phone: 623.435.6280
