Grand Opening!

Jared's classroom this year is running a school supplies shop, and their Grand Opening celebration was this past Tuesday. The kids had to work with their teacher to get a loan from a bank, they wrote letters to community leaders and local business owners (etc) inviting them to attend, they voted on what supplies to stock and what prices to charge, they memorized price lists, they created and performed live "commercials" for the other classrooms, they worked on their math/money skills like CRAZY, and generally worked their tails off for this event.

All dressed up "for work" !!


Jared's class getting some sillies out before the guests started arriving


Jared wrote a letter to one of the city councilmen, who came to the Grand Opening with his wife and baby, and his wife very kindy made some purchases at the store. Jared is very proud of the business card he was given!


He also wrote a letter to the state auditor, who did a hand-written reply! (Jared also received a business card from him, which, again, he's very proud of! He saved them, along with the letter, and the copy of the shift schedule from the Grand Opening in his bin of "special" papers and artwork from school)


Jared looked terrified when his teacher introduced him to the state auditor and asked him to give a tour of the classroom and the supply shop, but after a minute or so, the two of them were chatting away like old friends


J hates getting his picture taken!


In his element, working the window at the shop! (His custumer is Larry Sequist from the Washington House of Representatives)


Posing with a fellow employee


Bagging up a purchase


Working his hour long shift serving punch and cookies to the guests


Back at the window for his 2nd shift of the day, helping my dear friend, Stephanie, who came to support Jared! (Thanks again Steph!)


I was so impressed with all the kids and their hard work. It was so much fun seeing everything come together for the Grand Opening! The store has only been open for three days, and they're already running low on a few items. They'll be working on balancing the checkbook and budgeting out money for restocking and paying the bank. I think this is such a fantastic experience! J's having a BLAST!