“Friendly Cup” Opens for Business
By Sydney Hoffman on October 16, 2017
“Friendly Cup” opened for business, Friday, Oct. 5 at Bridgewater-Emery School.
The “Friendly Cup” is a business created by seventh grade student, Zach Tuschen, and special education teacher, Ms. Jenny Mann.
Each Friday, Zach and Ms. Mann have planned to sell hot beverages from 7:45-8:10 a.m. in order to raise money for a field trip for Zach Tuschen and the other “Friendly Cup” workers. The remainder of the money after the trip will be going to the Special Olympic teams.
Each beverage is one dollar, and the menu includes hot cocoa, s’mores hot cocoa, apple cider, green tea, hazelnut cappuccino, French vanilla cappuccino, 100% Colombian coffee, French vanilla chai latte and café mocha. Extras are also offered including original creamer, creamy chocolate creamer, French vanilla creamer, hazelnut creamer, marshmallows and whipped cream.
“I got a French vanilla cappuccino, and it was very tasty,” senior Abbi Arend said. “It was the perfect way to start my Friday, and I can’t wait for the next cup.”
Ms. Mann says that she was looking for a way to teach Zach using real-world learning experiences. She wanted the content to be more relevant for him. It was Zach’s mom, Michele Tuschen, that mentioned the idea of a coffee cart, and because Zach loves coffee, this project was a perfect fit.
Ms. Mann and Zach worked to brainstorm everything that they would need to start a coffee business. They then sent out a survey created by Zach to get suggestions for a business name. After the “Friendly Cup” name was decided, a questionnaire was sent out to staff to get suggestions of favorite coffee/beverage flavors. Zach then wrote a business proposal to principal Mrs. Schultz asking if they could have the coffee cart and the details of what it would entail. A GoFundMe account was created to raise money for the supplies. In just a couple of weeks, they had the money needed for supplies. Zach worked to find a cart, make menus, make order forms, create reward cards for frequent buyers and even purchase the Keurig and other supplies.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the support they have given us, from donating money, to a Keurig, and even supplies,” Ms. Mann said. “The students are having fun and at the same time they are learning so much like math skills, sequencing steps, fulfilling an order, reading and comprehension, social skills, working with peers, health and hygiene and so much more.”
The opening day was a big success among students, but like any opening it had a few hiccups.
“I was shocked and amazed at the number of students that lined up to buy a beverage from ‘Friendly Cup’ on Friday morning! We learned a lot from the experience. We had some difficulties with overloading a plug-in in the hallway, which sadly made for some long waits for the customers. Customers were so patient with us as we got the machines set up in a different room and got some more helpers. Finally, the line started moving a little more quickly. In the end, we decided to make some changes for next week,” Ms. Mann continued.
Ms. Mann and Zach have decided to move the business to the concession stand of the new gym. They have also decided to recruit more help from some of Zach’s classmates. Everyone will have a job title like greeter, cashier, barista and delivery person. They will have a training session in the coming week so that the following weeks can run more smoothly.
The “Friendly Cup” is a business created by seventh grade student, Zach Tuschen, and special education teacher, Ms. Jenny Mann.
Each Friday, Zach and Ms. Mann have planned to sell hot beverages from 7:45-8:10 a.m. in order to raise money for a field trip for Zach Tuschen and the other “Friendly Cup” workers. The remainder of the money after the trip will be going to the Special Olympic teams.
Each beverage is one dollar, and the menu includes hot cocoa, s’mores hot cocoa, apple cider, green tea, hazelnut cappuccino, French vanilla cappuccino, 100% Colombian coffee, French vanilla chai latte and café mocha. Extras are also offered including original creamer, creamy chocolate creamer, French vanilla creamer, hazelnut creamer, marshmallows and whipped cream.
“I got a French vanilla cappuccino, and it was very tasty,” senior Abbi Arend said. “It was the perfect way to start my Friday, and I can’t wait for the next cup.”
Ms. Mann says that she was looking for a way to teach Zach using real-world learning experiences. She wanted the content to be more relevant for him. It was Zach’s mom, Michele Tuschen, that mentioned the idea of a coffee cart, and because Zach loves coffee, this project was a perfect fit.
Ms. Mann and Zach worked to brainstorm everything that they would need to start a coffee business. They then sent out a survey created by Zach to get suggestions for a business name. After the “Friendly Cup” name was decided, a questionnaire was sent out to staff to get suggestions of favorite coffee/beverage flavors. Zach then wrote a business proposal to principal Mrs. Schultz asking if they could have the coffee cart and the details of what it would entail. A GoFundMe account was created to raise money for the supplies. In just a couple of weeks, they had the money needed for supplies. Zach worked to find a cart, make menus, make order forms, create reward cards for frequent buyers and even purchase the Keurig and other supplies.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the support they have given us, from donating money, to a Keurig, and even supplies,” Ms. Mann said. “The students are having fun and at the same time they are learning so much like math skills, sequencing steps, fulfilling an order, reading and comprehension, social skills, working with peers, health and hygiene and so much more.”
The opening day was a big success among students, but like any opening it had a few hiccups.
“I was shocked and amazed at the number of students that lined up to buy a beverage from ‘Friendly Cup’ on Friday morning! We learned a lot from the experience. We had some difficulties with overloading a plug-in in the hallway, which sadly made for some long waits for the customers. Customers were so patient with us as we got the machines set up in a different room and got some more helpers. Finally, the line started moving a little more quickly. In the end, we decided to make some changes for next week,” Ms. Mann continued.
Ms. Mann and Zach have decided to move the business to the concession stand of the new gym. They have also decided to recruit more help from some of Zach’s classmates. Everyone will have a job title like greeter, cashier, barista and delivery person. They will have a training session in the coming week so that the following weeks can run more smoothly.
