This Just in: Special Treats
This year, Northern’s special needs class has opened up a bakery called Special Treats. The students from the special needs class sell goods, clothing, and other items Northern students and teachers would be interested in purchasing.
This is the first year Northern has offered this opportunity to the students of the special needs class. Administration has been very helpful and open to getting Special Treats up and running.
“Administration saw the benefit it would have on my students and has been very supportive of my ideas and classroom,” EC resource teacher Heather Utley said.
Special Treats is giving these students opportunities to improve their social and money skills while also bringing a joyous atmosphere to Northern.
“[Special Treats] brings my brother happiness and [teaches him] how to be patient and help others,” senior Andrew Coburn said.
The original reasoning to opening the bakery was not only to help these students gain important life skills, but to also raise money for other educational opportunities for the class as a whole. With the money they raise, the class will be able to go on educational field trips.
“It is also meant to be a fundraiser to buy things for the class as well as educational opportunities and field trips,” Utley said.
Special treats so far has been very beneficial to the special needs students. Running the bakery is allowing them to learn through an environment outside of the classroom while engaging with new faces each week.
“The Special Treats [bakery] helps them learn to interact with the public, use their money skills, and use hand-eye coordination when [counting] and [sorting] items as we prepare the day before,” Utley said.
Special needs teacher Heather Utley, and her class could not do this alone. Local bakeries and people in the Northern community help her by donating baked goods or even financial contributions.
“I have had the support of family, friends, and local bakeries to donate money and food items to sell.” Utley said. “I am very thankful for the support and hope to expand next year.”
Next time you’re early on a Friday before school on a Friday check out Special Treats located next to N-2 and support Northern’s very own Special Treats.