Coffee Shop Coming To Henry Sibley This Fall

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN — This October, smells of roasted coffee beans will come from Henry Sibley’s first-ever walk-up coffee bar, Warrior Wake Up. Operated by students from Henry Sibley’s Relevant Educational Approach to Learning (REAL) program, the shop will serve an educational purpose, while providing students and staff with fresh, on-site coffee.

The REAL program, led by Henry Sibley teachers Melinda and Dave Weiss and Nancy Coffeen, integrates life skills into everyday learning for students with disabilities. In this program, students practice a variety of tasks including household management and receive job training while at school.

Providing students with authentic work training is an essential part of the REAL program’s vision, and Melinda Weiss saw an on-site coffee shop as a way for students to gain job experience first-hand, school officials said.

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With the help of a grant from the ISD 197 Foundation, Warrior Wake Up will serve Sandy’s Coffee before school and mid-morning to students and staff. The walk-up window, located in the staff lounge on the first floor of Henry Sibley High School, will offer the following beverages for cash: regular and flavored coffee, cappuccino, chai tea, hot chocolate and tea, according to a news release.

Most of the profits from Warrior Wakeup will be re-invested into the REAL program, but plans are that a portion will go to Henry Sibley Dollars For Scholars in the form of a scholarship for a student pursuing a degree in Special Education.

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