Junior Achievement BizTown

Every other year, we pair up our 5th and 6th grade classes to participate in this exciting and valuable program. Beginning in early February, Mrs. Zeyen and Ms. McMahon introduce the students to lifelong economic and business skills, in addition to city and community concepts. They will learn personal finance, followed by participation in an application and interview process designed to give them appropriate “jobs.” The students then come together in businesses, create a plan, and understand important aspects of employee and employer responsibilities, such as paying taxes.

The entire collaboration culminates in a school day spent at the Junior Achievement location in Columbus. The JA group has converted a wing of a school building into a town, complete with a mayor, bank, radio and video stations, newspaper, and a variety of shops. There is even a postal carrier!

Throughout the day, the students work their jobs, and are given an income. They can then use their money to make purchases at the various shops, including a snack shop. They visit the bank to make deposits, and are interviewed for stories to run in the newspaper, or air on the radio or the video that is compiled for us to keep.

It is a very memorable and educational experience that the classes often ask to repeat. The upcoming years OLP will participate include 2012, 2014, 2016, and so on.

If you have questions about this program, please contact either Mrs. Zeyen or Ms. McMahon.