Cooking Club serves up food for thought
The district’s Cooking Club held a Gingerbread Holiday contest in the
library at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, where dozens of Middle
School and High School students created their festive, sugary
masterpieces.
With piped royal icing, pretzels and candies, the high-spirited event
was an occasion that allowed student participants to work together with
their peers.
Coordinated by school social worker Kristin Britt and speech pathologist
Stacia Schoen, the focus of the club is social learning, which includes
good communication, flexible thinking, teamwork and cooperation.
According to Britt, the club gives students an opportunity to interact
with one another, giving them an active voice within their peer groups
to become healthier and happier by taking the time to work together and
share a meal.
“I enjoy being a part of the club,” said seventh-grader Grace Chambers.
“They come up with fun ideas and then let us choose what we want to
create. We all get a chance to socialize and meet new friends too.”
The Cooking Club is funded by the Royal Educational Foundation of Port
Jefferson, which works to strengthen community participation in school
programs and provide funds for projects to help assure educational
excellence for all students in the Port Jefferson School District.