Several Livermore Falls High School students are pictured doing yard work at the Lakeshore Cafe in Livermore. The special education students are learning by doing hands-on work.

Students learning by doing real work

LIVERMORE FALLS – Several Livermore Falls High School students are gaining work experience in their community. Nine students from Diane Maurais’ special education classroom have been working throughout the fall semester, gaining hands-on entry-level job skills.

At the Norlands Living History Museum, they scrapped and painted the fence. The project benefited the nonprofit organization and the students, who learned to paint, follow directions, arrive on time and dressed for work. The students will return in the spring to complete the project.

The students are also doing yard work at Lakeshore Café. Tammy Castonguay, owner, has provided cookies and cocoa during their break. Castonguay said Livermore Falls High School has been a great employment resource for her.

Wendy Berube, educational technician working beside Maurais’ class, said she thinks it is great for the kids to be exposed to a variety of jobs. Berube stressed that this type of learning cannot be done in a classroom.

The final work experience for the students will be at Food City in Livermore Falls. They will clean and straighten up shelves and experience a variety of jobs in the store. Maurais said that is what education is all about – hands-on experiences.

Maurais said Livermore Falls High School is always looking for local worksites to broaden the experiences of their students. For more information, call Maurais at 897-3428, ext. 117.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.