West Side Café open for business

By Jen Cowart
Posted 11/18/15

The highly anticipated grand opening of the West Café inside Cranston High School West took place on the morning of Nov. 3, with customers arriving by the minute.

Mayor Allan Fung and Scott …

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West Side Café open for business

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The highly anticipated grand opening of the West Café inside Cranston High School West took place on the morning of Nov. 3, with customers arriving by the minute.

Mayor Allan Fung and Scott Millard brought greetings and congratulations from the city. Others on hand included state Sen. Frank Lombardi, Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse, Assistant Superintendent Norma Cole, Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services Michele Simpson, Executive Director of Educational Programs and Services Joseph Rotz, Executive Director of SIS/Data Management James Dillon, Principal Tom Barbieri, Assistant Principals Dave Schiappa, Alex Kanelos, John Fontaine and Cheryl Anderson, and the educators and teaching assistants from the Life Skills program at Cranston West, including Heather Hawks, Christine Baum April Powers and Suzanne Myers.

The students prepared for the grand opening over many weeks, learning all that goes into starting a business, including appropriate budgeting, proper uniforms, choosing menu items, stocking supplies, creating specific job requirements, and maintaining proper health code requirements.

As an introduction to the cafe and all it had to offer, the students catered the Nov. 2 faculty meeting they prior to the opening, giving out samples to the faculty and staff.

The family of World War II veteran John Casale Jr. donated almost $2,000 to the project as a “thank you” for the kindness and generosity shown to John and his family prior to his death last winter, just after his being named an honorary member of the class of 2015 and West Falcon in honor of his service as a U.S. Marine.

“It is with this spirit of generosity and kindness that we have put together a donation to mark the kickoff of the West Side Café. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back in John’s name and continue with his legacy in benefiting the students of Cranston West,” the family said in a letter to the school.

As the students in the Life Skills program gathered together to cut the ceremonial ribbon, signifying the grand opening of the café, April Powers, one of the teachers in the program, welcomed the guests.

“Thank you for coming to our grand opening,” she said. “From the minute our kids get on the bus in kindergarten, all the way to graduation, we are hoping that when they leave us, they have the skills needed to transition to the real world, that they can transition, gain employment and live an independent life. This project has given them the soft skills they need to be employable.”

The skills Powers referred to include 21st-century skills such as good customer service and being a team player.

The students spoke about the things they learned and enjoyed about opening the café, which ranged from interacting with customers to keeping things clean and organized.

“I like socializing and meeting new people,” Josh Pinkham said. “One skill I use is customer service, which is important because with this work experience it will help me learn more about working with others.”

Fung greeted the students and congratulated them on their big accomplishment as they opened the doors in the C-wing at West for business that morning. Known for his sweet tooth, the mayor complimented them on the variety of delicious menu items.

“Everything looks fantastic and smells good, too,” he said.

Once the ribbon was cut, guests were invited order drinks and snacks from the students as they put into practice all they had learned in the past weeks.

The students look forward to their next business venture, the opening of a copy center at Cranston West, which will be happening in the near future.

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