Viewfinder: Student-Run Restaurant

Fourth-grade teacher Jim Fisher brought a new spin to an annual school project--a student-run restaurant. Each fourth grade class has previously run a restaurant night for family and friends, teaching them practical life skills in a fun and creative way.

This year, through an introduction of a mutual friend, Fisher was introduced to American Coney Island owner Grace Keros. The topic of the student-run restaurants came into conversation and Keros jumped at the opportunity to be of service to Fisher's class. 

Fisher, who has been at Monteith for 9 years, and Keros worked out a plan to help show the students the actual operation of a restaurant. 

The 27 students took a field trip to the Detroit coney, where Keros herself showed them the food line, cashier, and wait-staff responsibilities. She then went on to donate all the food for their restaurant, and staff uniforms of t-shirts and hats. 

Approximately $500 was raised after start-up costs for two charities: the Michigan Humane Society and a local program that brings life skills to students with special needs. Parents provided funds for decorations, beverages and desserts by floating a group loan to the class of $20 each, which is repaid with interest.