STEPPING STONES

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 distrib-uted platters of goodies to firefighters at six local fire stations in appreciation of their dedication and

Next STEP students thank firefighters to commemorate „9-11 Day of Service‟

Next STEP Culinary Arts Program Recognized by CTA Ed Association

News from Next STEP Fall 2011

September 2011

Volume 3, Issue 1

Top right, Next STEP students

package goodies for local fire-

fighters. Below right, students

delivered baskets to six nearby Phoenix fire stations as a

service project.

The Region V Career and Technical Education Associa-tion recognized Next STEP‟s Culinary Arts program as Pro-gram 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 safe-ty and preparation. The two main goals of the program are: 1) provide students with hands-on knowledge of the basics of the food service industry, and 2)

Next STEP student Heather Hoff-man‟s smile shows how much she enjoys taking part in work experi-ence at Baker Wee in Glendale.

Inside this issue:

Meet Next STEP 2

Kathy‟s Comments 3

Community Partners 3

Program Photos 4

See CTA Award, page 3

Welcome to Next STEP, where we help students develop skills necessary for independence within the community. Next STEP, which is a pro-gram 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 learn-ing; work-based learning; and connecting activities. One of many top priorities at Next STEP is to provide instruc-tion 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 business-es 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 con-nections 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 partner-ship 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 com-prehensive trans-disciplinary vo-cational assessment with an emphasis on post-school planning. Students also obtain general work experience in enclaves at local retail stores accompanied by a staff person. This part of our program in-cludes students like Ben, who enjoys work experience at a local K-Mart. Ben and other students

unpack shipments of shoes and prepare them for display – no easy task – and affix security tags to various merchandise. Work experience helps stu-dents gain crucial workplace so-

cial skills, including self-confidence, which, in turn, adds to feelings of self-worth. Such authentic work experience pre-pares these young men and wom-en for employment after our pro-gram. In addition to benefiting students directly, it is important that individuals with develop-mental disabilities be seen as productive members of society. Classes also focus on social skills, cooking, shopping and budgeting necessary for inde-pendent living. Next STEP provides students with post-program assistance for employment and to continue their education or training. We also link students with community services such as De-partment of Developmental Dis-abilities, Vocational Rehabilita-tion, and Arizona Bridge to Inde-pendent Living – organizations that are necessary for a successful transition from our program to everyday living.

This is Next STEP

Page 2 Stepping Stones

Baker Wee decorator Monica Sabia helps

Next STEP student Heather Hoffman pre-

pare brownies for sale.

“For students who may not know where their

interests lie, Next STEP provides a comprehensive

trans-disciplinary vocational assessment with an emphasis on post-school planning.”

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 learn-

ing 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 fire-

fighters for their service.

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. Firefight-

ers 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. Stu-

dents 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 expe-

rienced in the classroom.

For a list of local businesses that

provide work experience for our

students, see below. Please consid-

er patronizing these businesses and

tell them you appreciate what they

do for Next STEP!

Page 3

Next STEP: Real Life 101 By Kathy Goodwin, M.A., Next STEP Facilitator

Volume 3, Issue 1

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 pro-gram 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 Good-win, Next STEP facilitator. “More importantly, students are benefiting from this unique opportunity.”

Will Loftus works at community partner

Thunderbird Retirement Center.

“Students should take part in every way, from learning to accept appropriate help, to being the one to offer it.”

The following businesses provide Next STEP students with invaluable work experience:

Baker Wee

Beatitudes Campus

Beatitudes Age-Link

Cinema 8

Glencroft Retirement Comm.

GUHSD Bus Barn

Fellowship Square

Hair Expressions

MD Auto Doctor

K-Mart, I-17 & Northern Ave.

Savers, 35th Ave. & Bell Rd.

Sears Metrocenter

Tender Times Daycare

Tropical Treasures

Thunderbird High School

Thunderbird Resort

News from Next STEP, a program of the Glendale Union High School District

Editor: Jean Bihn

STEPPING STONES

Next STEP 1950 W. Thunderbird Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85023

Phone: 623.435.6280

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.

Above, David Anderson takes a quick break at Cinema 8. The for-mer Next STEP student was hired by the movie theater after he completed work experience through the Next STEP program.

Next STEP success story