Fresh from a meeting where they were promoting a “Keep Our Campus Clean Campaign” at Gilroy High School, students from teacher Ramona Trevino’s special needs life skills class were hard at work sewing beanbags with leftover fabric from their “100 Blankets for the Homeless” project.
“We have a lot of things going on,” said Trevino, whose class of 14 students with moderate to severe disabilities are the founders of the Community Creations Club. The mission is “to provide an opportunity for students with disabilities a chance to develop their vocational skills with the vision of becoming an active part of our community at Gilroy High School as well as within our local community,” as detailed on the club’s business card.
One such project, which the students work on weekly, is called “Mustang Munchies” – a dog treat business enterprise that Trevino introduced after doing something similar while teaching at San Benito High School in Hollister.
“It has all kinds of great skills for the kids because it has mixing, measuring,” said Trevino, who has worked with special needs students for 14 years. “They learn how to use a measuring cup, how to use the blenders and then afterwards the language skills that they’re going to need to go out and sell them.”
The students were also required to devise a business plan and submit it to Gilroy Unified School District transitions specialist Pamela Powell for approval through Project WorkAbility, a statewide grant program. Since it is considered a business, students must first get permission to sell the product on school grounds.
“It allows us to help the kids prepare to work when they graduate,” said Powell. “It’s really a great program, especially for the kids with IEPs (Individual Education Plans).”
Now in its third year, Mustang Munchies has banked $600 for Trevino’s class, which is working hard this year to fund a school dance.
“A big dance,” remarked16-year-old sophomore Stephanie Sanchez.
Senior Juliette Brandon, 18, has been a part of the student-run operation since its inception. Her favorite part is actually going out around campus and into the community to sell the dog treats.
“I was like ‘OK, but am I going to get my nails dirty? Because I didn’t want to get my nails dirty,’” said Brandon, who showed off her well-manicured hands and also one of the medals she won at the annual 2012 Gifted Games. Last year, the special needs athletic event saw a healthy turnout of 300 students from Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Hollister. This year’s Games are scheduled for May 10 in Hollister.
“I like making them and rolling them,” chimed 17-year-old junior Felicia Newell, who was wearing her GHS softball jersey. Newell is on the junior varsity team and had her first game later that day.
“We’re like brothers and sisters, like a family (in this class),” she grinned.
Trevino usually has her students do all the baking on Wednesdays and then they go out the next two days to sell their peanut-butter flavored dog treats. Soon, Trevino will schedule a class business trip to downtown Gilroy, where her students will look to add even more money to their club’s account. The money can be used for whatever the class decides such as a pizza party or a trip to the movie theater.
“A lot of the parents are regular customers,” said Trevino. “We have regular customers who are on campus here. We have a lot of the teachers who are regular customers.”
When the Community Creations Club is out and about on campus, the students always stop in on GHS Accountant Jan Alonso at the Student Activities Center because she is usually good for “five to 10 orders per week” for her 16-year-old English Springer-Spaniel named Henry.
“All I can say is my dog loves them,” said Alonso, who buys extra to share with her sister’s golden retriever.
Once the cookies are prepared and cooled off, the students place five dog treats in a plastic sandwich bag and then put that in a larger brown lunch bag, which they decorate themselves. One bag goes for $1.
“We walk around and say, ‘Excuse me,’ to people and ask if they want to buy a bag for a $1,” explained 14-year-old freshman Marianna Murillo of her sales pitch.
Other students such as 20-year-old senior Leah Ruiz and16-year-old junior Luke Padilla – who also help serve soup to the homeless that students prepare in the special needs life class – pitch in on the production as well. And 15-year-old freshman Josue Ramirez doesn’t let being confined to a wheelchair get in his way of pouring and stirring the batter for the cookies.
“They’re usually very focused when they’re doing it,” said Emma Marlin, one of three paraprofessionals in the classroom. “If they need assistance, they ask for it. If the dough is too thick or too thin, they know to remold it. They’re really, really enthusiastic when it come to making them and selling them.”
But it’s not all about selling and profits for Trevino’s students, who regularly donate whatever they can – items such as blankets made from old blue jeans (they’re trying to complete 100) and soup dinners cooked weekly – for the homeless and less fortunate in Gilroy.
“I love it. This is what I’m supposed to be doing,” said Trevino of her work at GHS. “It’s my 14th year working with special needs and I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s a blessing.”
• $1 per bag, includes five homemade biscuits. Contact Ramona Trevino at (408) 847-2424 ext. 2313.
Whole wheat flour
Baking powder
Unsalted natural peanut butter
Skim milk
