Originating from France and typically served as an appetizer, charcuterie has been transformed into a hands-on learning activity for the Learning for Life program (L4L) at Linganore High School (LHS). On October 7, the L4L program enjoyed a unique experience as The Box Theory business joined them to create boxed charcuterie boards.
When discussing the event, April Dunne, a special education instructional assistant at Linganore Highschool said,“we’re cutting up food. We’re making pretty food”
Patricia Aburto, another instructional assistant at Linganore who works with L4L, shared how local businesses will come in with lessons.
“Well, we had Mrs.O from the Box Theory come, and she does this as a business and she‘s coming in to teach students how to create charcuterie boxes,” Aburto said. “She preps her food and then brings it with her to do this [create charcuterie boards], and all the utensils, and the cutting tools and the cutouts.This is a lesson on how to make this pretty food.”
The Box Theory, a business based in Frederick Maryland, is owned by O, who creates varieties of fruit arrangements, grazing tables and charcuterie boards. She brought her business to Learning for Life to teach students how to prepare food safely and sanitarily. This lesson aimed to help teach students different life skills and provide vocational training opportunities, giving students hands-on experience in food preparation.
Aburto shared some of what takes place in the Learning for Life program.
“We have done community-based programs where we go out and we learn about different businesses in the community,” Aburto said.”We also do a lot of life skills along with math and English, and that’s pretty much it.”
The collaboration between The Box Theory and Learning for Life provided students with an extremely important experience through preparing food. This initiative has not only equipped the students with fundamental life skills but has also opened up potential vocational opportunities. The Linganore hosted event demonstrated the importance of practical learning and enhancing educational experiences through the community that surrounds Frederick.
