The Whitehall Perk was established at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School in 2016 by former teacher, Mr. Mike Rile. It’s second location opened at the high school 2 years later by Mrs. Katie Rile. Mrs. Rile has been teaching Life Skills at Whitehall High School for the past 15 years. Mr. Rile, now the assistant principal at the high school, is a frequent customer and is proud to watch some of his former students' continuing to develop their employability skills through this experience.
Mrs. Riles class visited Back Home Bagels Deli and Bake Shop located in Schnecksville. Chef Josh Haines, gave them a tour and walked them through the bagel making process before they opened the Whitehall Perk doors at the middle school. The Perk continues to purchase their bagels from Back Home Bagels. They are the best!
Staff receive a weekly google form to place their order. The students are able to choose the job they would like to complete each week. Jobs include inventorying stock, purchasing needed items, setup, coffee and bagel making, cashier, delivery, and clean up. Students then count all monies and determine how much profit was made for the week. At the end of their shift, both students and staff complete evaluation forms in order to reflect on their work. Students also receive a "paycheck" for their work.
The students are consistently improving their employability, independence, and soft skills as they interact with each other and the customers. They also utilize math skills as they identify the cost to open their store and the profit made each week. Mrs. Rile has watched a quiet, shy bilingual student blossom into a confident young man who enjoys working as a cashier and interacting with customers. Another student who stated she was afraid to make coffee because she didn’t want to burn herself, has now gained the skills needed to make the coffee and is good at it. The climate of the building and the interaction between staff and students who work at the Perk has been so positive, states Mrs. Rile. "Staff who might not interact with our students, know their names and are able to interact with them both in and outside of the Perk doors." A former student of Mr. Rile found her passion through this experience and recently opened her own coffee shop in the area.
Gavin, a 17 year old, stated that when he started working at the coffee shop for the first time during his 6th grade year, he was a rebel who didn’t want to listen and often refused to participate. By his second year of work at the Perk, he realized the opportunity taught him so many skills needed before graduation. He is currently a student in the CLIU Work Based Learning program and has a part time job at Fellowship Manor in the kitchen. He hopes to move up to the position of prep cook when he turns 18. He enjoys working and has learned how to save money as well as spend it responsibly. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Rile for empowering your students with skills that will lead to a needed and successful transition after high school.
