SMSD Partners With The Golden Scoop To Fundraise For Special Education, Featuring A Famous Special Guest

Students in ripped jeans and hightops peer over a small glass freezer of ice cream flavors in their high school commons. 

I got mint chocolate chip.

Chocolate sounds really good.

We should split it! Go grab a spoon.

On February 19, students in the Shawnee Mission North High School special education program served ice cream in partnership with The Golden Scoop, a non-profit ice cream and coffee shop that offers employment for people with special needs. 

The kiosk at SM North is run by Victorya, who is wearing grey jeggings and black sparkly sketchers. “Have a good day,” she says to every customer, a grin tugging at her cheeks. The kiosk sign, decorated with bubble letters, depicts a grey smiling cat. The cat is popping out of a cardboard box, “Order Here” scrawled above its head. 

This partnership between the SM North special education program and The Golden Scoop began last fall but this is the first event they’ve hosted together. 

“By selling their ice cream, that makes money for our students, for supplies, trips, or anything they wanna do,” special education instructional specialist Kelly Chapman said. “But then it also provides employment opportunities for the people who need it.”

This Golden Scoop event also featured special guest, Heidi Gardner, an American actress, comedian, and writer. She’s best known for being a former Saturday Night Live cast member, but she is also a Kansas City native with personal ties to the SM North special education program. Her appearance helped generate excitement and awareness but also demonstrated the community support surrounding this initiative.

The Golden Scoop is just the latest addition to the bustling SM North retail options. Common Ground is a centrally located storefront where students can buy snacks, drinks, and other amenities during their seminar period. The Nest offers hygiene products near the nurses office. And, there’s a boutique in the basement, offering shoes, winter coats, prom dresses, baby clothes, and more. 

These “shops” are all organized, restocked, and managed by students with special needs. 

“It’s super cool that we can provide these job experiences to our kids,” SMSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher said. “And better prepare them to be successful once they walk out the door.”

Over 50 students shuffled through the line to buy ice cream, wads of $5 bills sticking out of their front pockets. Victorya said sea salt caramel was the best selling flavor.

“I really want to try it,” she said. 

Cadet teachers (SMSD students who work in the special education classrooms as student teachers) also came to show their support.

“I think it’s really important,” sophomore Georgia Sehealy said. “A lot of people don’t think about it that much, so we need to show up and show out.”

Shawnee Mission East has also added a Golden Scoop kiosk and there’s potential for even more expansion in the district. 

“This is one of those pilot programs where, if it’s successful here, perhaps we can spread it to all of our high schools,” Dr. Schumacher said.