HOWELL – On Feb. 17, 64 pupils from the Newbury School participated in the Junior Achievement program JA Biztown in Edison.
The event was the culmination of 13 financial literacy lessons that provided fourth and fifth grade students with a real life financial foundation, according to a press release from the Newbury School.
The students represented Howell’s Project GOAL (Great Opportunities for Advanced Learners) and ECG (Enrichment Cluster Group) programs and a part of the program for gifted and talented pupils. They were led by fourth grade Project GOAL teacher Lindsey Dunphy and fifth grade Project GOAL teacher Lisa Oliver.
At Biztown, students paired with workers and volunteers from Junior Achievers and worked alongside 16 parent volunteers to successfully run all aspects of the simulated community of Biztown, according to the press release.
The students were responsible for opening and sustaining personal checking accounts, creating and voting on new laws, enrolling in health insurance and applying for and paying back a loan.
Businesses at JA Biztown are all sponsored and represent real companies such as Chick-Fil-A, New Jersey Credit Union, Walmart and Investors Bank.
The students elected a mayor of Biztown and a CEO of each company, providing real world experience to their already enhanced curriculum, according to the press release.
Howell Mayor Theresa Berger was on hand to swear in Biztown’s mayor for the day, fifth-grader Cassidy Brennan. After the swearing in ceremony, Berger visited with each business and spoke to the students about the valuable work lessons they were learning.
During the day, the students participated in two staff meetings, work rotations, and they spent time on their work “break” by voting, spending Biztown Bizbucks and visiting the radio station to purchase and make requests, according to the press release.
Each CEO gave an opening address to the students and volunteers, and a closing speech to report on their business success. Two citizens were chosen as citizens of the day and one business was selected as the top business for the day.
The JA Biztown program is made possible through corporate sponsorships. The participating schools only pay for transportation, according to the press release.
