POINT PLEASANT — The community has opened its doors to a special program at Point Pleasant Jr./Sr. High School.

The Community Based Work Experience (CBWE) Program, instructed by Barb Scarberry and her aide, Doris Deal, provides students the opportunity to receive training outside of the classroom.

“The CBWE exposes these students to different jobs,” Scarberry said. “It enables them to get a jump start in the work force.”

Scarberry has been the instructor since the program began two years ago at the high school. Students involved are in the special education program.

Around 15 students, ninth through 12th grades, work in the community at area business including Village Pizza, Pleasant Valley Hospital Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Mason County Library, Wendy’s, Foodland, Point Pleasant Primary School, Mason County Animal Shelter, Mason County Recycling Center, Advance Design, Gino’s, Subway, Mason County Bus Garage, Mason County Career Center pre-school program and Point Pleasant High School.

“All of the businesses and centers have been great and I am surprised at how much they want to work with the students,” Scarberry said.

According to Scarberry, students choose which business they want to work at, depending on their individual interest. Each student then is transported to and from that business every day by bus. Scarberry said that she makes daily visits to check on student progress.

“This gives my students a first-hand experience, and the life skills they learn are outside the classroom,” Scarberry said.

While the CBWE does involve some classroom time, including a prerequisite course before they are placed in a business setting, Scarberry emphasized that the students “earn their spots.”

One student who has really enjoyed his experience with the CBWE is PPHS senior Michael Allen, who works at Foodland.

“We are sometimes busy, especially on Senior Citizens Discount Day,” Allen said. He said that he is in charge of stocking shelves, bagging groceries and collecting shopping carts from the parking lot.

Management at Foodland described Allen as being a “big help that enjoys doing whatever to assist others.”

Scarberry admits that she “loves her job” and thinks that this program is really an asset to the high school and community.