Alerts Sign-up
Coal City High School’s Transitions Program recently hosted Kris Sayers, founder of Beans-and-Bites, for a classroom presentation on the progress of a new community project. Sayers shared the blueprints for Beans-and-Bites’ upcoming brick and mortar location in the 1200 block of E. Division St. in Diamond. The planned facility will offer drive-up and quick pickup services for coffee, tea, baked goods, and lunch items.
Beans-and-Bites has been active at local events and businesses for several years. The organization is now collaborating with the Transitions Program to provide learning experiences for students enrolled in the program led by Sarah Lusson. The program focuses on helping students move from high school to adult life by building skills related to independence, employment, and community involvement.
"The facility, when complete, will provide drive-up and quick pickup service for its coffees, teas, baked goods and lunch options. Since its establishment several years ago, Beans-and-Bites has been offering its coffees and other tasty menu items at community events and at various businesses throughout the community."
"Beans-and-Bites has teamed up with the Transitions Program to provide learning opportunities for individuals enrolled in the program overseen by Sarah Lusson. A large part of Lusson’s program is to assist students transition from high school into adult life and much of that is centered on preparing them for life outside of school—independence, employment and being a part of the community."
Coal City Community Unit School District 1 includes schools such as Coal City Early Childhood Center, Coal City Elementary School, Coal City High School, Coal City Intermediate School, and Coal City Middle School across Grundy and Will counties (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data, the district employs 153 teachers with an average salary of $69,297; most are women (77.9 percent), while men make up 22.1 percent. No teacher in the district had more than ten absences during a school year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
The student population is primarily White (86.9 percent), with Hispanic students making up 9.6 percent; Black and Asian students each account for 0.6 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, spending per student was $21,619 for a total expenditure of $47 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
