The Transition program helps students acquire skills needed after they leave school

By Andy Martyn

The Transition program is a robust offering at Kindle Farm School, designed to help students acquire the skills needed to secure and maintain employment after they leave school. We emphasize the daily living, academic, and domestic skills that are integral to adulthood in the greater community.

This quarter's transition class focused on financial literacy - What can we do with the money we earn? Students were introduced to "What is Money" and the role money plays in our society. During this assignment, students developed a clear understanding of the different types of currency, such as cash, credit, and debit. Each student was then tasked with identifying and analyzing personal needs vs. wants. Examples included housing, food, clothing, transportation, entertainment, etc.

Transition services also extended beyond the classroom to include internship opportunities as well. Students in good academic standing and attendance were invited to apply for these opportunities to explore career options. Five students were deployed to multiple locations, on and off campus, so they may learn, experience, and practice fundamental work skills. Areas of opportunity included culinary arts, retail experience, HVAC, sugarbush management, and human services.