Ste. Genevieve Elementary School occupational therapist Kari Buerck and speech-language pathologist Ashley Regelsperger were recently awarded a $500 PEERS Maggie Elders Grant through the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Foundation (MRTA-F) to support their new project, “Fun Food Friday.” Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District will match the $500 grant, providing a total of $1,000 to help launch the program.
“Fun Food Friday” will be a weekly cooking group within a self-contained classroom designed to help special education students develop functional communication and essential life skills through hands-on cooking activities.
Buerck and Regelsperger will co-lead the group using simple, student-friendly recipes that allow students to participate in each step of the cooking process. Students will practice skills such as making choices, following directions, learning new vocabulary, sequencing steps and taking turns with peers. Cooking activities will also help students strengthen fine motor skills, coordination and independence.
Visual schedules, picture-supported recipe cards, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and modeled language will be incorporated to support students’ individual communication needs. Research has shown that cooking groups can help build language and life skills while encouraging social interaction, confidence and greater independence.
Grant and matching district funds will be used to purchase basic cooking supplies, adaptive utensils and ingredients for the weekly activities.
MRTA Region 11 Vice President Denise Wright and associate MRTA member Dale Wright presented the grant to Buerck and Regelsperger.
Congratulations to Mrs. Buerck and Mrs. Regelsperger on receiving this grant and creating a meaningful, hands-on learning opportunity for SGE students!