BY SUSAN McTIGUE
CORRESPONDENT
CLOSTER, N.J.—The launch of a new program at Closter’s Tenakill Middle School has 132 sixth graders racing along a path to success.
TREP$, short for entrepreneurs, is an educational program that combines creativity and business-savvy skills to establish kids’ own businesses in the real world.
The TREP$ program dates back to 2006 when two New Jersey mothers (and teachers), Pamela deWaal and Hayley Romano, thought their own children would benefit from learning business skills, how to earn money, and to have fun at the same time.
Jodi Sunshine, the Gifted and Talented teacher at Tenakill, introduced the program to all sixth-graders over the course of 10 weeks, culminating in the first annual TREP$ Marketplace to be held on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 275 High St. across from the Closter Public Library.
To prepare for this event, the students receive instructions and guidance in school, but work at home to write business plans and create advertisements once they have chosen a product to sell.
In their classroom workshops, the students follow a timeline to help them prepare their businesses for the grand opening. They learn ways to use social media in a positive way to let their community know about their business and encourage shoppers to attend the marketplace. They analyze the cost of creating their sales items and determine a retail price that will be appropriate for potential buyers. They discuss how to present their merchandise in an appealing way, how to set up their booths, and how to engage with customers on a personal level.
Many students’ parents have become involved with the project as well. Monisha Kapur, Stefani Greenspan and Ellen Lutvak have sixth-grade children participating in TREP$, and they coordinated the effort by helping with advertising, marketing and working with business supporters in the community. Many parents are business owners themselves and share their expertise and experience with the young entrepreneurs. The Pourkay family (Print Icon NYC) donated flyers sent home with all Closter students.
Ms. Sunshine seems to be enjoying this project as much as her students.
“I don’t talk down to the students and the kids appreciate my honesty and mutual respect,” Sunshine said. “I treat them like adults and find that they respond in mature ways.”
Coming from the business world before starting her teaching career 12 years ago, she re-wrote much of the curriculum to make it more career-oriented. She is
gratified that her students have responded with so much
enthusiasm.
Specialty foods, handmade jewelry, bedroom decorations, handmade soaps and crayons, Cougar gear, and much more will be offered for sale just in time for the holiday season. As these sixth-graders explore the world of entrepreneurship and launch their own businesses in this special marketplace, the public is invited to attend the event and do their holiday shopping while supporting the efforts of these students. (Please bring cash rather than credit cards).