By Sarah Opdahl

New Fairfield High School’s Independent and Learning Support (ILS) program classroom is buzzing with activity. Not only are special education students continuously working toward academic goals, they are also taking part in efforts to learn in-school vocational skills that span the school year, though the benefits of the experiences will ideally extend far beyond.

Special Education Teacher Melissa Busnel explained that the plan to add new vocational opportunities this academic year was heartily embraced by the students. They are sorting and delivering mail throughout the high school, tidying up the Wellness Center, and laundering chef coats and towels for the Rebel Cafe, which is giving the students a host of transferable skills. “Everything we do in our classes is designed to prepare the students for the adult world,” Busnel explained, going on to say, “We focus on practicing soft skills like making eye contact, social skills, dressing for success, and practicing self advocacy.”

Keen to start a business, the students considered several ideas before settling on a bakery and ultimately focusing on dog treats, and the Rebel Paws Bakery was born. A “very animal friendly group,” most of the students and staff have pets and adore dogs. 

A student-led group coined the name “Rebel Paws Bakery,” developed the logo after many variations were created using Canva, and researched, then tested various recipes. Educators were grateful to have opportunities to teach practical skills, from furthering kitchen safety to working with new computer programs. Students researched pet-safe ingredients, zeroed in on favorite recipes, and ultimately voted on which treat recipe was “t he best” based on form, texture, shelf life, and of course, taste. To gauge taste, students tested the products at home and asked friends, family, and neighbors for feedback on their pets’ experience tasting the treats.

“Currently we sell them to school employees,” Busnel said of the delicious pet treats, but they are working toward expanding the market and would like to sell them in various businesses in town.   They also donate the treats to local animal shelters.  In addition, the students  are always taking orders—email busnel.melissa@newfairfieldschools.org to purchase dog treats for $3.00 each.

The students are excited to have recently begun a spring greenhouse business as well, which they have dubbed “Rebels Sunny Day Garden.” They have planted daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths, and all flowers will be for sale. Busnel explained that beyond flowers, the students have “also planted spider plants, tomatoes, peppers, basil, lettuce, and many other herbs and veggies for spring gardens!”

Whether pet treats, plants, or planning, it is easy to see that the new opportunities are certainly creating a thriving environment. The benefits are not only for students, who are engaging in a deeper way and learning living skills that will help to set them up in transition and post-secondary programs or in a workplace, but for the educators who are excited to be shepherding growth in a multitude of ways.