NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — USD 308 Assistant Superintendent of Special Education, Jessica Engelland said that the new kitchen constructed at Hutchinson High School is a part of teaching students who need it about practicalities of life after school.
"We revamped that entire space for an entire life skills classroom," Engelland said. "There's a washer and dryer. There's a whole like, living setup, there's a bathroom, there's a kitchen. It's an entire space. It actually started with Mike Chapin, who is the husband of a former employee who passed. He gave a generous donation of some of the living space items and so it all just, it all started in that way. He wanted something for the population of those kids who need those skills to be successful beyond high school. Then, it just turned into a new kitchen and lots of new things for our students."
Parents teach those skills to their kids, but for those with developmental or motor issues, they need more practice.
"We know our parents are supporting students in that way, but it takes a whole team to help those students get to be independent with those skills. This is just another opportunity for some of our students to be able to practice those skills."
The room gets use constantly.
"We have students in and out of that classroom all day long, working on a variety of things. Parts of the day, they are doing kitchen related items, we also have a program which assesses job skills. That's in that classroom, as well. We have lots of students throughout the entire school day using that space."
The project cost of the upgrade when approved in August was $63,633.
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