Mustang Joe's Gives Middle Schoolers A Taste Of Business In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Every Thursday morning there's a buzz around Manchester Township Middle School.

The buzz isn't just from caffeine, however: It's the whirl of students learning life skills and about business as they operate the Mustang Joe's coffee cart.

The Mustang Joe's Coffee Cart is run by students in the middle school's small group instructional classes, and is weekly treat for students and staff.

First, orders are placed by staff starting 24 hours prior to delivery. This gives the students time to organize, prepare and fill the orders.

Then on Thursday morning the classroom is busy with students freshly brewing hot and iced coffee, making lemonade and sun teas, as well as whipping up their special "Room 102 Brew," which is a sun tea/lemonade mix.

No detail is overlooked: ice cubes are customized to the drink, the labels are personalized to the staff member who purchased, and the cart has a different theme each week.

Recently the cart celebrated the World Cup and holiday music played as the students made deliveries.

Each student has a job, such as being the greeter, cashier, delivery specialist, server and barista. It gives them the opportunity to exercise their math, public speaking, socialization, culinary, life/skills, communication, teamwork and so much more.

Supplies for the Mustang Joe's Coffee Cart are provided through donations made from community members through DonorsChoose. Funds raised by the Mustang Joe's Coffee Cart are used for more supplies, class trips, and other instructional opportunities, the district said.