By Erin Kelley
Assistant Editor
While many people at Silverton High School have come to appreciate having a coffee shop in the school, not many know about the work that goes on behind the scenes.
The Frothy Fox, which serves teachers and students, is run by the Structured Learning Program staff and students. Drinks found at your favorite coffee shop are offered at the Frothy Fox, although the staff is open to suggestions. Limited available space decides how much the shop is able to offer. The most popular items bought are hot Chai, hot mochas, and flavored ice tea. Every day, the shop serves about 160 people or 800 people a week or 3,200 people a month.
The students and staff also benefit from running the Frothy Fox.
“People look at these drinks as a pick me up, so it feels good to contribute to their day in a positive way,” Lisa Krouze, an SLP staff member, commented. Although the number of students helping the Frothy Fox varies, there are usually around 10 students work on rotating schedules. Students are usually sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the Structured Learning Program. In the program, students have the opportunity to learn life skills that they'll be able to use later in life. They're able to gain work experience in customer service, making change, preparing menu items, dependability, socialization, and having a good work ethic. In addition to the students, volunteers also help out at the shop. “We have two terrific adult volunteers, Barb Dahlum and Carole Miller,” Sandra Chaney, an SLP assistant, said.
While students are gaining these skills, the shop is also getting a chance to make a difference. Some of the money made by the Frothy Fox is donated, given to help the food drive, the Tree of Giving, and needy families in the area. The rest of the money made is used for scholarships and SLP field trips. This spring, students from the program will be taking a field trip to the Salem Ropes using their profits from this year.
“The community needs to know that several visitors stepping into the school are very surprised and complimentary that we have such a state of the art coffee shop serving the kids and staff,” Krouze said.
