It’s Friday morning at Westport Middle High School and in Room 1550, that can only mean one thing — coffee!

In one corner, a batch of chocolate chip cookies has just come out of the oven and it’s cooling off on a cookie sheet by the window. Coffee is brewing in another corner while students Austin Carter and Andrew Swift sit by the door, awaiting the day’s first customers.

A visitor walks in, orders one black, no sugar, and Andrew marks it down on a slip and hands it back to fellow students working the coffee prep station behind him.

“Two dollars please,” Austin says and takes two $1 bills from the customer, puts them in the cash box and marks down the transaction.

“Thank you!” he says, as another student brings out the coffee, piping hot and fresh.

Just a year ago, such interactions, taken for granted by most, would have surprised Erin Mello, a special education teacher who runs the room, and Wendy Miranda, the district’s special education coordinator. But after about six months in business, the students’ ‘1550 Cafe’ has made a big impact and both educators see it plainly:

“A huge difference,” said Mello.

“I’ve heard from parents who say it’s made a big difference” in students’ socialization, Miranda added. “Even in things that we take for granted, like going out and having a family dinner. Some (families) weren’t able to do it but now they’re able to.”

Community effort

Cafe 1550 opened at the beginning of the school year, after Mello heard about a similar operation at Case High School in Swansea and spent a few days visiting to learn the ins and outs.

Back in Westport she spread the word and started looking for help, and to date the cafe has received funding from the local Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), private donations that to date have paid for much of the supplies the students need, and Cardi’s furniture also chipped in, donating couches, tables and chairs.

With much of the cafe’s operational costs covered by donations and grants, all funds brought in by coffee, tea, hot chocolate and treat sales goes into a fund and goes directly to students. For many, it’s the first time they’ve earned money working with the public, and its spendable at the school on snacks, candy, treats, toys and other perks.

Though it is now open Monday and Friday mornings, Mello hopes to expand the cafe to additional days.

“I would love to,” she said. “The social aspect has been such a benefit to them — it embodies the entire curriculum: functional math, functional reading, everything. Their confidence level has increased, and they’re more comfortable” in social situations.

Austin is one of the success stories. Prior to the cafe, social interactions were sometimes difficult for him but now he is happy running the money box, interacts jovially and openly with all who walk in the door, and is happy — he drew a smiling coffee cup cartoon, which is taped to the wall just to his right and has become a sort of mascot.

“It would be awesome to put it on a T-shirt,” he said.

Note: Want to help? Cafe workers are always looking for supplies, including K-Cups and related items. Inquire at the high school if you can help.