Hopatcong Students Learn Nutritional—and Dollar—Values

Trim budgets and waistlines.

Those were the goals for 51 Hopatcong students who traveled to Shop Rite in Roxbury on March 30 as part of Durban Avenue's push to "extend learning beyond the traditional classroom setting," fourth-grade teacher Kristine Mendyk said.

Mendyk's class, along with Allyson McConnell's students, were hit with two challenges.

Before the trip, students had to design four days worth of nutritionally sound meals for a family of four. At Shop Rite, which funded the trip through its Young Consumer Program, students had to shop for the items while keeping their budget below $100.

Students spent the second half of the trip visiting 10 problem-solving stations in the store, solving hands-on match and critical-thinking problems to earn points for their teams.

"The students learned how to interpret the food pyramid and incorporate it into their daily eating habits," Mendyk said. "They learned the essentials of budgeting and decision-making. The students, as well as the over 20 parent volunteers, learned a lot and had a great day."

It was Durban Avenue's fifth straight year participating in the program, which invites ShopRite representatives to visit the school, teaching children how to make healthy food choices and sound shopping decisions.

"The students learn life skills," Mendyk said.