4 Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Life Skills, Transitions programs get students into community By Erin Borla Correspondent Every afternoon 21 stu- dents in the Sisters High School (SHS) Life Skills pro- gram head out into the com- munity for some hard work. The program serves stu- dents from special education along with student mentors from the general education track. Students vary in age from fifth grade to those that have graduated but are not yet 21. “If someone were to look into the classroom they wouldn’t be able to easily identify the mentors from the special education students,” says advisor Josh Nordell. “Our students get to practice life skills, recreation skills, and even a special set of job skills that fit each of their needs. They really thrive in this environment.” Nordell is thrilled with the community support the Life Skills program has received. Each day of the week students do something unique with a different partner business in town. Activities include prac- ticing adaptive taekwondo at Outlaw Martial Arts, tak- ing cooking classes in the basement of The Belfry, job skills training at Sisters High School, working at the com- munity garden, and even working on their hand-eye coordination through practic- ing golf out at Black Butte Ranch. Harmony Farm Sanctuary, located off Cascade Avenue, helps to provide rehabilitation for local farm animals as well as a place for humans and animals to reconnect. Every Thursday, the Life Skills class brings several students out to help with chores and learn about animal husbandry. “I think the most impor- tant thing we do here is pet the animals,” Nordell says with a smile. “The students are always so eager to help and learn,” says Lene, a volunteer at the Sanctuary. “I hope they come away from this experience knowing a little more about how to care for animals — even if it’s just how to treat them with kindness.” “The animals are my favorite part of this class,” says Brian, a junior in the Life Skills program. “I want to be a farmer when I am done with school. I love the rabbits and the pigs.” In addition to their work at Harmony Farm, students learn to plant and care for vegetables and flowers at the Sisters Community Garden with the help of volunteer Marvin Benson. “Every week they are excited to be here,” says Benson. They work hard in a vari- ety of jobs around the gar- den including planting seeds, moving bark mulch, and watering. Benson developed a series of raised vegetable beds near the front of the garden that are easily acces- sible for people with differ- ent needs. The space around the new beds is wide enough for students in wheelchairs or walkers. Helping to bridge the gap Headed south for the winter? Call today to get your home winter-ready for your time away! 541-549-4349 260 N. Pine St., Sisters For one week. With this ad. While supplies last. Expires 10-28-15. 541-548-2899 YourCareMedical.com 3818 SW 21st Pl. Hwy. 126 to Redmond, two turns and you’re there! (Near fairgrounds) WALK-IN • URGENT CARE• OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE photo by Erin Borla Marvin Benson, Soren Smith, and a volunteer working at the Community Garden planting carrot seeds. The students love Nordell and the program. Each of them beam with excitement when asked about their favor- ite part of the class. Looking to the future, every student has a chance to experience something that has inspired them. “I want to work with heavy machinery when I graduate,” says Andrew. “Driving dump trucks and other trucks — that’d be cool.” In addition to the coffee shop in Sisters High School, the Life Skills class is selling T-shirts encouraging folks Complete waxing services available. 541-549-1784 161-C N. Elm St. 541-410-1309 SpringCreekWoodworking.com FINE FURNITURE — By Adam Bronstein — Fall Hours! Wed.-Sun. serving breakfast & lunch. Dinner by reservation only. Please call 541-516-3030 for more information. www.lakecreeklodge.com Camp Sherman to “be comfortable with dif- ference” to raise money and awareness for their pro- gram. Nordell also set up a GoFundMe.com page last year to help provide supplies for the Transitions Program. “The GoFundMe.com page raised all the funds needed to start the program and the partnerships with local volunteers and busi- nesses have helped to develop and continue the program this year,” says Nordell. “The relationships within the com- munity are what I am most proud of.” Offering Aveda ™ Skin & Body Care! hair | massage | nails facials | makeup Licensed Bonded / Insured CCB#87587 FREE FLU SHOT! OPEN EVERY DAY, AFTER HOURS AND WEEKENDS of those students enrolled in special education at Sisters High School transition into adulthood, the Life Skills pro- gram has expanded this year. This fall is the first year of the new Transitions Program that is held off-site at The Belfry every morning of the week for 2-3 hours. Eight stu- dents, age 18-21, are enrolled through SHS. The program focuses on working in hands- on, experience-based activi- ties. The class recently started a coffee shop at Sisters High School to give students job training. “The idea is getting stu- dents experience in a school- based business, then having them move on to a job-skills internship at a local business; and finally into the work- force,” says Nordell. “This program definitely benefits these kids. They are spend- ing time learning skills they wouldn’t learn in the class- room — how to be successful living and working on their own.” The Oregon Department of Education chose Sisters High School as a flagship program for the Transitions Program last spring. There are several programs already in larger districts. Sisters is one of the first in a small, rural setting. “Smaller districts have greater trouble building programs like these. The Department of Education is thrilled with the success and participation in the Sisters program,” says Nordell.