Grayslake North CHOICE Students Celebrate Valentines at the Vine

Most of us take for granted that eating at a restaurant and conversing with friends is second nature. But for some kids at Grayslake North, this is a social skill that needs to be practiced. When the teachers in the CHOICE programs received word from Dan Kmieciak, front of the house manager at the Vine, that they had received funding to sponsor a lunch, they were thrilled.

The students from the Life Skills and CHOICE classes currently participate in a Coffee Cart program, a student run, pre-vocational training program.

"They supply tea, coffee and hot chocolate to staff members who have signed up to support the program, creating opportunities to obtain skills and knowledge, " says Justin Van Schaick. "These are skills that will better their chances of success after high school."

Some of the male students also participate in the Clubhouse, where they are provided with different scenarios and then prompted to discuss how they would act and simulate appropriate behavior. "Justin and Mike Gentile are great role models for these boys," said Brigid Del Carmen, one of the teachers at North. "Clubhouse provides them an informal setting to learn crucial social skills."

More from Grayslake Patch

Freezing Fog Could Affect Motorists Tuesday Morning

Foreclosures: Grayslake

What's Open and Closed on Presidents Day?

When they arrived at the Vine, all the students were dressed up and ready to go. With a special menu and tables set for two, the students were here to practice their social skills with each other. On each table were cards with suggestions of conversation starters if they found that they were out of ideas. Skills to be practiced were, etiquette, manners and communication. The teachers flowed from one table to the next making sure that any questions they had were answered.

The trip to the Vine was a great opportunity of kids to put their life skills into action in a real setting. "They practice these skills at school, but it is very important to have a real life situation," said Del Carmen. "We are so grateful to Joyce Campbell, State Farm Insurance and the Vine for supporting us."

As the students settled into their tables and ordered lunch, the conversation flowed. It was apparent that the conversation cards were not going to be needed.