2006-07 Crystal Apple Awards

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

EDUCATION FOUNDATION PRESENTS AWARDS AND GRANTS The West Allis/West Milwaukee Education Foundation presented its annual Crystal Apple Awards and Grants at a banquet at the Village at Manor Park on Wednesday, April 18th.  Nathan Hale High School – Best Buddies International—Crystal Apple Award & Grant Best Buddies is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships, role modeling, and integrated employment.  The program creates events during the school year and holidays to encourage participation, accomplishment and personal pride. Nathan Hale High School, West Allis Central High School, Community-Based Transition Program – JOBS (Joining Our Business with Students) — Crystal Apple Award Nathan Hale High School has created a “JOBS” program whose goal is to teach a high level of work ethics. The jobs offered through the program provide a great deal of diverse experience that can be transferred to the real workforce. While the jobs are non-paying, the actual hours worked are applied to credit for school hours. The real-life experience gained in these jobs will help students better understand the job market. Pershing Elementary School – Student Job Program— Crystal Apple Award Students in 4th through 6th grade are eligible and recommended to apply for specific jobs. They are not paid regular salary; but are paid based on how they handle the job every semester. This helps the students to use the academic skills to relate to real-life experiences where they will be able to use their knowledge.  The school now has students working in the library, in classrooms as tutors, and custodians. However, the goal is to see students helping in kindergarten, and eventually to attract financial support of business partners. Irving Elementary School - I Pledge Allegiance—Grant Students at Irving School will embark on a cross-curricular journey that explores the American Flag.  Faculty members JoAnn Johnson (librarian) and Mrs. Brooks (music teacher), will help the students to understand the importance of the American Flag.  The students will be presented with different quotes and readings from the book, “I Pledge Allegiance.”  The students will also be singing the pledge in an innovative way.   Two art teachers, Christi Sheehy and Lorna Chawala, will be participating to help understand the Flag’s significance by representing the diversity of the Irving Community. Walker Elementary School – Dance Dance Revolution-Grant The students at Walker School are learning about the importance of a healthy, fitness-oriented lifestyle and developing good habits through a unique video game.  Dance Dance Revolution is a game that requires players to interact with it by dancing on a mat.  Players can increase the difficulty and speed of the dance by increasing levels or changing songs.  The resulting workout improves students’ cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and body composition.  West Allis Central High School – Central Perk—Grant The high school has opened a coffee shop at the school, “Central Perk,” which enables students with disabilities to acquire vocational and academic skills.  Students took a field trip to Starbucks and learned how to taste coffee and the different expectations for employees. Students also learned how to complete job applications and to interview. Students helped set up the coffee shop, and learned how to promote the shop using posters. Each student holds a different job and has different responsibilities, which will give them valuable work skills for the future.

 

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