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| Student Writer Bri Meyers |
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| Student Writer Livi Pitzo |
Arrowhead High School
seniors Brianna Meyer and Livi Pitzo contributed the following article to the
Lake Country Publications to be published in the Living Lake Country
Sunday February 17th edition:
Arrowhead Opens a Student Union
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| Students enjoy some free time playing a game of foosball |
Earlier this year, Arrowhead South Campus
added a new program to their lunchroom: the Arrowhead Student Union, more
commonly known as The U. In The U, eligible students can buy snacks, play
games, or study during free periods. During every study hall up to 18 students
with a GPA of 3.3 or higher are eligible to come to the U. There, they can buy
snacks like coffee, hot chocolate, sparkling ice, or fresh baked cookies.
Students also have the opportunity to play games like ping pong, foosball, and
bag toss. The U is meant to provide students with a fun and relaxing
environment that they can’t get in regular study hall, said teacher supervisor
Ann Krueger. “I like to come to the “U” because you can socialize with your
friends and have a good time,” said Arrowhead sophomore Mike Tanke.
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| Students use employment & communication skills in running the school business |
The U started as a way for students with special
needs, particularly those with autism, to learn employment and communication
skills. By running The U, students learn skills such as customer service,
handling money, advertising, maintenance of business equipment, and pricing
items to make a profit.
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| Students are responsible for all aspects of running the business |
Through the games, the students learn social and
communication skills by interacting with other Arrowhead students.
“The interaction of students provides an
opportunity to learn leisure skills in a school setting,” said Krueger. “I’ve
seen many schools with cafes, but we found that most don’t have the aspect of
the games.”
Krueger said the games provide an important
collaboration between students and individuals on and off the autism spectrum.
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| Students earning a 3.3 GPA or higher are provided the opportunity to use "The U" during free periods |
“I like to go to the U to hang out with friends
without having to be quiet in the study hall room,” said Arrowhead sophomore
Hannah Frankowski. “Plus, they have great food and a foosball table.”
Allowing the students to run the business side of
The U exposes them to the skills they will need in the community. By practicing
the skills under supervision, the students will be more prepared to use them
later in a job setting.
“The students are on all different levels of
skills,” said Krueger.
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| AHS Staff member Scott Asher works with a student assembling a game |
Since its beginning, The U has been a totally
self-sufficient business and has not had to borrow any money from the school.
This allows them to work on their own calendar and return the money made
immediately back to the business.
“After four months, we have broke even, which is
pretty incredible,” said Krueger.
Krueger said once The U starts making more money,
they would like to give it back to the students. They want to spend the money
on things like speakers and mentors, which can help the students develop into
skilled young adults. It can also be put towards the cost of getting students
into vocational jobs.
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| Students are responsible for financial management of "The U" |
The U provides a learning experience not only for
students with autism, but also other students as well. Students have the
opportunity to earn independent study credits by working at The U. By accepting
cash and not lunch accounts, The U also teaches students how to be
conscientious about spending and managing their money.
The U is open and staffed hours one through four
and seven through ten. It is located in the east corner of the South Campus
lunchroom and welcomes eligible freshmen and sophomores to come down and check
it out.
As freshman Mitchell Pralle says: “The U has
everything--food, drinks, and fun. It makes me want to keep my GPA up.”
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| Students using "The U" to study during a free period |
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| Students enjoying a game of ping pong |
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| Students take a break to compete in a shooting contest |
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| "The U" is a popular stop for students |
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| The student run business provides a great opportunity, under staff supervision to learn employability skills |
