Did you know 5th graders can run successful businesses? Alissa Schonmann, Borough School STEAM Teacher for Grades 3 - 8, does. She received a grant from the EFMP to bring TREP$, an entrepreneurial program, to her students. In the program, students learned about the business model and related topics such as money, marketing, advertising, sales, and reflection on the process. Students worked individually or in pairs/threes to create their products.

The program culminated in a sales event on March 26 in a packed STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) lab, where students sold homemade wares including flowerpots, stress balls, lip scrub, friendship bracelets, dog treats and scented sleep masks. The student entrepreneurs had evidently studied their market well, as many products sold out.

"It was so wonderful to see the pride and excitement beaming from the students during the marketplace sales," said Morris Plains Superintendent Mark Maire. "It was evident that they were well prepared, and that they understood the objective. We thank the Education Foundation of Morris Plains for funding this valuable program. Kudos to Mrs. Schonmann for seeing the value of it and bringing it to Morris Plains! The program would not have been a success without her leadership, vision, and attention to details."

A second cohort of 5th graders will present their product at a marketplace on May 23.

To learn more about the EFMP and how it funds innovative programs for all students in the MPSD, visit www.educationfoundationmp.com. 

Join us at 7 PM on April 10th to get to know the EFMP (educationfoundationmp.com) in the Borough School STEAM lab for a meet-and-greet reception with snacks and refreshments.