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!

A.T.M.s are located all over the community to make banking easier for everyone. This week, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had the opportunity to learn how to use an A.T.M. at the local Bank of America branch.

As part of the HDS Foundation B.R.I.D.G.E.S. grant, students in the program receive two checks during the school year to deposit in their student bank account. The funds are used each week for their Community Based Instruction (C.B.I.) trips to learn life skills, such as shopping, eating out, etc. Facilitators, Donna Mansolillo and Kathy Gorman-Gard use each activity as a “teachable moment.” This week was learning how to use an A.T.M. as the students deposited their second check from HDS Foundation.

The students are now ready to head out into the community and have new experiences. Bank accounts are now replenished, and students can now pay for their activities and practice their life skills. We are so proud of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they continue to learn about banking, accounts, debit cards and now  using an A.T.M.

Stay tuned to see where the students will head next week on the C.B.I.!

Mac n Cheese, an all-time American favorite meal!

The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a chance this past week to participate in a 2-part activity making Mac n Cheese. In preparation for this Community Based Instruction (CBI) students had several steps to complete before they could make their meal.

First, they had to watch a You Tube video on how to make mac n cheese in a mug. The students then had to create a shopping list of ingredients they would need to make their mac n cheese.

Students then headed to Publix, where they were then divided into 4 teams. Each team was responsible for buying one of the ingredients for the entire class. This required calculating the amount needed for 14 students. The groups had to calculate the total and tax (if any) and pay with a Publix gift card.

On the following school day, the room was set up with 4 microwaves, and each student created their own macaroni n cheese in a mug. The class did an excellent job following directions and creating their own mac n cheese in a mug. All students gave it a 10 out of 10 rating! Yum!

Students continue to practice their Budgeting, Independence, Development and Social Skills in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class!

After the holiday break, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class participated in a Team Building Community Based Instruction (CBI) at Peace Mound Park, a burial ground for the ancient tribes of the Tequesta Indians. The activity was designed as a Scavenger Hunt to bring the teams together for a fun and educational outdoor activity.

The students had to work together in groups of 3, to locate information about the Tequesta Indians which was marked along the pathway around the park.  Once the students found the information based on the clues they were given, they had to record what they learned.

After completing the Scavenger Hunt, the teams returned to the Gazebo to enjoy lunch together outside. Students worked on their Development, Independence and Social Skills during this CBI.