Common Grounds coffee shop heats up for the 2017-18 school year
October 26, 2017
The Common Grounds re-opening took place this school year on Monday, September 25. Since its first opening on January 1, 2012, Common Grounds has been the place for staff and students to enjoy an affordable morning beverage and snack.
The cozy shop was originally established by education consultant Ms. Sherri McIntyre and speech & language therapist Ms. Lori Bochon. Their goal was to provide students with disabilities the opportunity to experience the workforce.
Over the past five years, Common Grounds has been able to open vocational opportunities, providing more educational experiences for the students. Some of those vocational opportunities include Common Threads (a clothing shop), Common Clerical/Delivery (office work), and Common Ties (dog toy shop).
Recently, Bochon and her staff added a new cappuccino flavor called Cinnabon.
ai???Itai??i??s really popular,ai??? said Bochon. ai???Every year we try to add a new flavor to the machine.”
They always have regular/flavored decaf coffee and various hot teas. Currently, they have hot chocolate, french vanilla, caramel, and cookies and cream.
Common Grounds also features great beverages for low prices. Ai??ai???Most coffee is around a dollar, so everything is affordable,” said Bochon.Ai??For more information on prices of food and drinks, see the attached menu below.
A Common Grounds shop, called ai???Common Grounds Tooai??? is also planned to open in the winter of 2018 at the Stroudsburg Junior High School.
ai???Not everyone wants to be in the food industry, so itai??i??s nice that there are more opportunities to try new jobs like clothing retail,ai??? said Bochon.
Students are only allowed to visit Common Grounds periods 1-3 with their whole class. To purchase a drink or snack, each student needs a special Common Grounds pass that will be provided by the teacher. Teachers can also order through phone for staff delivery.
Phone number: 45140
Emma Hellivan • Nov 17, 2017 at 1:22 PM
I think this is amazing for the students with disabilities. This will teach them skills they will be able to use for everyday life. Going to Common Grounds in the morning, you can see how much the staff and other students love connecting with those working at Common Grounds. Having such a beneficial program as part of Stroudsburg High School just goes to show how much the teachers care and how special SHS really is. I hope to see Common Grounds grow even more than it already has!
Krystal Cabrera • Nov 17, 2017 at 12:19 PM
I think this is an amazing idea! I never, in the million of schools I’ve been in, seen something so great and beneficial for students with disabilities. I think that every school district should have something like this for kids with disabilities. Giving them the opportunity to get the work experience and a feel of what it’s like to not only work in the food business but also in retail businesses. I have a niece who is autistic and when she goes to school I would love for her to have opportunities like this. A lot of kids with disabilities wish they can be like everyone else and not an out cast the way my niece feels and little things like this will let them know that they’re just like us but better! So, thank you for doing something so amazing and beautiful for them.
Ayomiro Aderin • Oct 27, 2017 at 12:19 AM
Honestly speaking, I’ve never actually had a chance to order from there before. Hopefully, things change this year. However, if anyone wants to send me food from Common Grounds, I’m willing to receive. :3