“Lunch hour is the Best Hour of the Day” was the motto for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students this week! Both classes headed to local restaurants for their Community Based Instruction (CBI) field trip. Mrs. Karla Lama and Mrs. Courtney Henry’s class had the chance to experience delicious barbeque at Mission BBQ and Ms. Kathy Gorman-Gard and Ms. Donna Mansolillo’ s class headed for an all-American meal at Panera.

Prior to going on the CBI, students reviewed the menus and practiced ordering while they were in class. They also discussed proper restaurant manners. Once they arrived at the restaurants, each student ordered their own meal. The students at Panera, used their debit card to pay for their meal. During lunch, they all enjoyed time socializing with their friends and talking about what they were going to do over the weekend!

Each week our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students continue to practice their Budgeting, Resources, Independence, Growth, Empowerment and Social Skills. We are so very proud of them! Keep up the great work!

What a special treat our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed as they headed to IHOP for their early morning Community Based Instruction (CBI) trip! As the students reviewed the menu prior to heading out to IHOP, they couldn’t wait to order all the delicious breakfast items they had on the menu!

To help make the CBI run smoothly, facilitator Mrs. Papili spent class time reviewing some very important skills that the students would be using during their visit to IHOP. They reviewed how to stay within a budget, figure out a tip, what percentage the server should get, table manners, and even had a chance to role play ordering food.

Students had free choices of what they could order if they stayed within the budget of $25 for breakfast! They each ordered their meals independently. Some of the students ordered eggs, bacon, pancakes, and others decided on waffles. As the students enjoyed their breakfast meals, they socialized about a variety of topics.  No electronics were allowed on this CBI, as Mrs. Papili wanted the students to spend time socializing with one another.

After everyone was done eating, each student paid for their meal using their Visa Gift Card funded by HDS Foundation and was sure to include tip for the waiter! So proud of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they continue to practice there  Budgeting, Resources, Independence, Growth, Development and Social Skills.

A Scavenger Hunt at Publix?  This is exactly what the B.R.I.D.G.E.S class did for their weekly Community Based Instruction (CBI) field trip, and they had a blast!

Before heading to Publix, students were very busy in the classroom going on a virtual field trip to see where everything was in a grocery store. Next, they began to work on where they would find certain items in the store such as: the different aisles, produce and freezer sections. They also learned how to check out their grocery items and how to properly bag their items. Students then participated in a “mock” grocery store as the classroom became Publix for a day.

On the following class day, they were on their way to Publix for the Scavenger Hunt. They were ready! Each student received a list with the names & pictures of various items found around the store, a clipboard, and a pencil. The list included paper good items, produce, vegetables, freezer items and dairy products. Students were divided into teams with an adult to help them find the items in the store. Each student had to identify what isle the item was in and the cost.

As the students made their way around Publix, they discussed the different brands of items and costs of each one. They couldn’t believe how much different items cost just because of the brand name. Once they completed their Scavenger Hunt, they all headed to get a cookie at the bakery! This was their special treat for doing such a great job!

What a great CBI to practice Resources, Independence, Growth, Empowerment and Social Skills!

Lucille’s American Café, a Weston restaurant known as a great place for friends to come and enjoy their delicious classic favorites! The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students got to do just that this past week on their weekly Community Based Instruction (CBI) field trip.

After visiting Bank of America and learning how to use the ATM to deposit a check to replenish their debit card, students now were able to head out on a CBI to enjoy a delicious lunch with their friends! Some of the students ordered homemade chicken soup, hamburgers and macaroni and cheese. But the all-time favorite of most of the students was the chicken tender and fries!

Lunch was certainly enjoyed by all! A few students decided to bring home what they had left to eat for another meal later that day! Conversation took place during and after lunch as they talked about the upcoming cold front making its way to South Florida, new movies, and video games they had played. Once the check arrived, each student had to pay the waiter with their debit card, including tip. They all agreed the service was excellent and the waiter deserved a twenty percent tip!

This CBI, students focused on Budgeting, Independence, Growth, and Social Skills!