Autumn Serembo, a Norwin High School senior, was busy Tuesday afternoon scraping off stickers that would identify books as being from Norwin Public Library, in preparation for the books to be sold at an upcoming book sale.

She was one of about six students at the library who are in the Norwin Works! program, a work-based learning class where job coaches take students into a workplace to help them learn about the workplace environment.

While Serembo was scraping away library-related information on the books, she said she really liked making flower arrangements in their classroom. She helped make arrangements for a Thanksgiving feast they will have Friday in class.

The program helps Serembo and the other students involved in Norwin Works! prepare for their life after graduation, said Stacey Snyder, director of Norwin’s special education and student services.

“They’re learning different job skills, time management, soft skills, following a schedule and dress appropriately,” Snyder said.

“It’s an extension of what they are learning in class. They will be working on interviewing for a job and interacting appropriately” with others, Snyder said.

Diana Falk, library director, said the work the students are doing each week is a big help in preparing the books to be sold.

“We are very pleased with the student contribution,” Falk said. “We couldn’t do it without their contribution.”

Their work is a benefit beyond just preparing books for the sale, Falk said.

“They come to work with such a great attitude. They’re good attitude is contagious,” to the staff, Falk said.

‘Sense of accomplishment’

To Melissa McGuiness of Irwin, the Norwin Works! program gives her daughter, Erin, a 19-year-old senior, a sense of accomplishment.

“She showed everybody what a good job she did,” McGuiness said.

The socialization also is important.

“She is interacting with the others and she makes friendships,” McGuinness said.

She said the program gets the students out of the classroom and into a different setting, which is beneficial.

Norwin Works! gives the students a sense of connecting with people in the community, said Beth Langer of Irwin, whose son, Timothy, a 20-year-old senior, is involved in the program.

“It spreads awareness of what people with disabilities can offer to the entire community,” said Langer, whose daughter, Abigail, really benefited from the program.

“It really boosted her self-confidence,” Langer said. “It made her realize she was able to do things that she would not have had as much of an opportunity to do.”

Norwin Works! students also are working at the Kohl’s department store in North Huntingdon this school year.

The program has partnered with other local businesses, including the Busy Beaver building products store in North Huntingdon, a Shop ‘n Save supermarket, the Norwin Teachers Federal Credit Union, a Goodwill store, the Salvation Army and hotels in the area, Snyder said.

A few students have worked in the school cafeteria and one student worked with the custodial staff, according to Malissa Cheplick, director of the Norwin Works! program and transition coordinator.

“We’re always looking for businesses that we can partner with in the community” who can provide meaningful work experiences for the high school students, Snyder said.

Norwin has been operating the program for 10 years. Previously, the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit 7 had operated a Work Discovery program for the students, but the business placements typically were in the Greensburg area, Snyder said.

“We wanted the students to have the (job) opportunities closer to home,” Snyder said.

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