Broken Arrow Public Schools’ 1,200 plus fifth grade students are taking part in Junior Achievement’s BizTown this year thanks to the generosity of Partners in Education, local civic groups, and school PTA units.

The $17 per student price tag for each student to participate in the interactive simulated town facility was problematic for the BAPS budget this year.

Local business leaders and parents wanted to make sure the students had the opportunity to experience the hands-on activities that focus on putting classroom lessons into real-world use in a make-believe city that features business and service organizations managed by the students. 

So in addition to the business and service lessons that BizTown provides students, BA students also learned about the importance of community support thanks to financial donations and contributions of Target (through an educational grant) Partner in Education FirsTitle & Abstract, BA Rotary Club, BA Civitans, and the PTA units from Arrowhead, Country Lane, Indian springs, Leisure Park, Oak Crest, Lynn Wood, Park Lane, and Wolf Creek all of which allowed BizTown to be a reality for BAPS fifth graders in 2010. 

“The Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee had a vision that all the district’s fifth graders could participate,” Broken Arrow Rotary Club member Jeff Hewett said.  “When Rotary heard about that vision and the difficulty that some schools were having in making the vision a reality, we wanted to get involved to help out the schools so that all fifth grade students could take part in this exceptional program.”

Indian Springs Elementary was among the schools to benefit from the Rotary Club’s donation.  Indian Springs students attended BizTown Feb. 5.  Teacher Ed Hodge said the experience is one of the highlights of the entire year for fifth graders.

“This wonderful real world simulation is a once in a lifetime experience for the fifth grade students of BAPS. Many students would have missed out on the hands-on learning experiences that enhance our curriculum in civics and economics without the help of the supportive groups like Rotary, PTA and our business partners.”

Rhoades Principal Sherri Kindley, whose students will go to BizTown Feb. 25, said the support for BizTown is just another example of the kindness provided year around by Broken Arrow’s outstanding Partners in Education program to BAPS schools like Rhoades.

FirsTitle and Abstract is a wonderful partner-in-education for Rhoades Elementary and they do so many great things for our school throughout the year.  Their latest gift to us was a scholarship for our 5th graders to attend Junior Achievement’s Biz Town.  Biz Town is set up like a mini-city, where students run the businesses and services for the city for an entire day.  They elect a mayor, run the various businesses, pay their bills and learn how to use money for goods and services.  I am truly grateful to FirsTitle and specifically, Karen Burnette, for their amazing generosity to us.  They truly want our kids to reach for the stars.  Biz Town is a great way to motivate students and allow them to see what their future can be.”

Arrow Springs Principal Karla Dyess perhaps summed up the vast support of BizTown for BAPS fifth graders best.

“Bottom line, Arrow Springs (whose students attended Jan. 25) and other schools would not have been able to send out students on this hands-on learning experience without this support. We are truly grateful for their assistance.”