St. Catherines Kids Learn Value of a Business

In todays age, it appears one of the best ways to support a family is owning a business -- or at the very least, contributing significantly to a self-owned business.

At St. Catherines of Siena Kindergarten and Nursery School Program, the children are learning just that.

On Thursday, Feb. 24, six Kindergartners constructed and opened up stores, allowing the 48 Pre-Schoolers to attend the event and shop or browse at whatever drew their interest.

"It was very real," Nursery School Program Director Susan Connolly said, "We wanted to make the kids realize what it is like to collect money, open and close stores, and just become shop-keepers."

In the weeks leading up to the three-day-long-event, Connolly and class aide Jean Appow allowed the children to decide exactly what type of stores they wanted open and run, based on interest -- a key component of success nowadays.

"We took it from what the kids wanted," Connolly said, "They were able to stock their own stores."

Brandon Bohn-Palmer, a member of the Kingergarten program, opened up a bowling alley as he bowls every weekend with his family.

"I had ten million dollars," he said with excitement, "The highest score I had was an 80."

The other stores were an ice cream parlor, opened up by 5-year-old Faith Roberts, along with a Bakey that was run by 6-year-old Tyler Sharif.

6-year-old Ava Spampanato operated a beauty parlor, while 6-year-old Giuseppe Tranchina organized a pizza parlor of his own and sold pizza bagels.

Juliet Turchio, age five, ran her very own flower shop as well.

"It was a wonderful experience," said Pat Cranmer, the coordinator for the Nursery School Program at St. Catherines, "The little ones really enojyed being able to see all the stores of the neighborhood and shop around."

Most of the shoppers were around age three.

"Absolutely," was how Connolly responded when asked if she would run the event next year as well, "It was a major success and we look forward to continuing it."

St. Catherines Nursery School program is currently in its 9th year. If interested in registering a Kindergarten or Nursery School student, they ask that you call 732-938-5375, Option #3 or visit them online at sienachurch.org