Brookline Regional Participates in J.A. Day

Elementary and middle school students at on Friday got a jump start on preparing for the “real world.”

The students participated in “J.A. Day,” a program run by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania to introduce students to the importance of careers, education and money management.

“The kids really enjoy the day,” said kindergarten teacher Amy Majetic, who organizes the event each year. “I think they realize they’re learning, but in a different context.”

Junior Achievement partnered with 16 Catholic schools in the region to teach elementary and middle school students business and economics education programs. The event coincided with Catholic Schools Week.

Majetic said she heard about the Junior Achievement programs about seven years ago, and initiated a J.A. Day at Brookline Regional because of the benefit to students. Students who participate in two years of Junior Achievement programs are eligible for high school scholarships—a good thing, she said, since many Brookline Regional students later attend Seton LaSalle.

“I thought by starting with kindergarten, there would be a good consistency throughout the programs,” she said.

The theme of Majetic’s kindergarten class on J.A. Day was Learning About Ourselves, and the students did activities focused on the value of coins, farming and where food comes from.

J.A. Education Manager Sarah Murtha said the lessons for each grade are tailored to the age group. Second graders run a donut shop, third graders build a town, and fifth graders discuss how the economy of the United States fits into the economy of the world.

In the older grades, students discuss how cell phone plans work, preparing for careers and starting businesses.

“Each age level has a different theme, but the activities tie in with curriculum standards,” Murtha said.

Fifth-grade math teacher Helen Schaefer said although her students are young, she thinks they do benefit from the program. Even if they can’t relate to every topic now, she said, she thinks they will remember it in the future.

“I think there are some students, especially those whose parents own businesses, who already are thinking about the future,” Schaefer said. “Those kids benefit. Others, I think they’ll see the benefit down the line.”