Within the busy hallways of Wyandanch Memorial High School is a hidden gem for the school’s staff— Café 105. A fully functioning café run entirely by the students in Ms. Rakiya France’s class, Café 105 offers not only delicious drinks and treats, but also a hands-on learning experience.
Wearing their custom Café 105 aprons, the café comes to life each morning as students prepare a menu of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and an array of juices. Under the guidance of their teacher, Rakiya France, the students take pride in every detail, from brewing fresh coffee to customer service. The café’s slogan, “If you don’t want your energy to take a dive, come to Café 105,” rings true as staff line up for their morning pick-me-up.
But the menu doesn’t stop at drinks as students prepare warmed croissants, bagels, muffins and every so often secret menu items like breakfast sandwiches and strawberry croissants. The students also prepare a healthy option of hard boiled eggs which can be served with everything bagel seasoning, hot sauce or the traditional style. This simple yet popular item is a favorite among faculty.
Operating like a real small business, the student workers of Café 105 handle everything from food preparation to restocking. The money they earn from sales goes into supplies, which teaches the students the importance of budgeting and financial planning.
“Café 105 is a learning environment where our students gain practical experience, build confidence and develop essential skills,” France said. “They each have a role in the café and are proud to do the work needed to make it succeed.”
Students learn about safe food preparation, customer service, time management and teamwork, all while promoting a sense of community within the school. At the end of the school year, any profits go to a field trip or celebration decided by the class. In the past, a trip to White Post Farms and a cake pop party featuring treats from Starbucks were the celebration of choice.
Café 105 not only equips students with practical skills, but also fosters independence, creativity and a strong sense of accomplishment.
