The Ram Shop is a student-run initiative that is part of the RISE program for students with disabilities here at RHS. The Ram Shop welcomes student volunteers from the program, serving as a life skills training ground within the school community.
Located in the high school Commons, the Ram Shop opens after unit lunch and closes when the school day ends. On average, two to three student volunteers work in the shop for one period a day, selling a wide variety of snacks and drinks under teacher supervision.
The Ram Shop aims to improve the students’ communication skills and receptiveness and helps prepares them for everyday jobs, such as working at the sales register. This is extremely beneficial for the students, as it equips them with valuable skills for future employment.
“The Ram Shop helps me learn about customer service and the skills necessary for working in a store environment,” said freshman Daniel Alt, a current student volunteer.
“I stock the shelves, assist the customers and work the register, and it helps me get accustomed to working in a retail job,” added senior Nina Theodoridis, another student volunteer.
This experience is carefully structured around three core responsibilities: taking orders at the main counter, retrieving requested items and operating the sales register. These tasks create a learning experience for the volunteers that mirrors real-world retail environments.
“The purpose of the Ram Shop is to provide job coaching for our disabled students who are not yet old enough to seek employment,” said paraprofessional Joanne Dates, the manager of the Ram Shop. “It serves as their first step in receiving job training, preparing them for future job opportunities.”
Dates noted that most student customers interact well with the Ram Shop volunteers. “Customers are generally very respectful and kind to the students,” she said. “They understand that they may take a bit longer, but they are willing to engage with them and show them kindness. This positive interaction benefits both the student volunteers and the rest of the RHS community.”
In addition to helping prepare the student volunteers for future employment, the Ram Shop also generates funds for the high school, with every purchase contributing to the greater RHS community.
