A coffee shop run by special-needs students at a Baltimore high school is being forced to shut down due to Maryland’s strict regulations against caffeine in public schools.
The Patriot Java Stop at Patapsco High School was set up in December to help students with cognitive disabilities learn marketable real world job skills, a local NBC affiliate reported. The shop reportedly just won a national award and grant for innovation.
But late last week, the school was informed by the Maryland State Department of Education that it would have to shut down the shop due to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rules against caffeinated beverages in high schools, the station reported.
The MSDE would only refer the station to its policy that says, “Health professionals do not believe that serving caffeine to high school students promotes their well-being. There are many healthy items and non-food items that can be offered to students during the school day.”
Parents, students and teachers are upset at the news, seeing that the proceeds from the shop also helped fund the students’ educational trips into the community, the NBC affiliate said.
Parents have started an online petition to prevent the shop’s closure. Teachers said students are also planning to start their own petition.
“I would like to see them maybe get an exemption for this particular program, just because it’s so important to the kids, giving them the opportunity to interact with everybody,” said Phil Jenkins, whose daughter, Kaitlyn, benefited from the program.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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