Holy Childhood School Opens Community Classroom
By: Caroline Tucker
Updated: September 25, 2012
Inside a small space at the Genesee Valley Regional Market a community classroom has formed.
There are six students now but it will grow to a dozen.
All of the students are from the Holy Childhood School, a non-denominational agency that helps people with development and intellectual disabilities.
The goal is to get these students into jobs at the new Community Classroom.
They are all between the ages of 18 to 21.
"There is a real misconception with our kids and their abilities about what they are able to do and build on them," said Melanie Byrne, Holy Childhood School Principal.
"The students at the Community Classroom are hoping to get internships and even jobs at one of the 200 businesses located within the Genesee Valley Regional Market.
The students will learn job skills and training.
"I am absolutely love it here and being with my teachers," said Cariene Standera, a student.
"We are finding jobs out here and I'm glad doing that," said Julieanne Warren, a student
Students use iPads in their learning and are working on skills employers are looking for.
"I think employers are expecting at least a basic knowledge of technology, I think my students will be above and beyond that expectation," said Jeanne Ricigliano, an transitional instructor.
The student plan to reach out to the surrounding businesses in the coming weeks.
