By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Prairie Hills Middle School in USD 313 is bringing out the entrepreneur in its students with their second annual Spring Market on Sunday, April 23.
“Basically, it's just an opportunity for our middle school students to experience just being an entrepreneur,” Abby Thompson, Prairie Hills Middle School principal, said. “They are able to sign up at the school, have their own booth, run their own little small business, and sell handmade or homemade items.”
Goods that students will be selling include jewelry, arts and crafts, drawings, baked goods, bath and body products, and even services.
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the public will be able to interact with the vendors at Prairie Hills Middle School.
The Spring Market’s inaugural year saw 50 students in 6th through 8th grade participate.
“It came to us last year, initially as an idea from our PTO, and so we kind of started there,” Thompson said. “At that time, our PTO president, her husband was a business owner, so he came in and we had a couple of meetings with the kids about how to market things, and profit margins, and those types of concepts for kids.”
Thompson said over 70 kids will be participating this year.
Students have been preparing for the Spring Market for about eight weeks. They have received guidance in using proper communication, how to price their items, how to set up their booths, and how they plan on interacting with their customers.
In its second year, the Spring Market is treated as a learning experience from those who participated last year to those taking part this year, especially new 6th graders.
“It's just an opportunity for our kids to experience running their own little business,” Thompson said. “We're hoping next year to be able to maybe attach it within potentially our FACS class or just through our Champion Time, which is a class that all of our kids have at the end of the day.”
For their buy-in to participate in the Spring Market, students pay $5, which then cycles back into the Spring Market.
Extra help for a booth in one form or another is afforded to students who may need it, if it is necessary for them to participate.
While students do get to keep the money made by their booths, Thompson did say there were a few students last year that donated their profit back to the Prairie Hills Middle School.
Through the Spring Market, Thompson hopes Prairie Hills Middle School students learn the values of dedication and hard work, as well as creativity. The Spring Market offers students a chance to showcase their talents.
“We've had kids come up with some ideas and things to sell that you're just like, wow, you know, like a spin on something that's just pretty standard,” Thompson said. “That creativity piece, I think is cool too, because it hits with with a lot of kids, that maybe sports and that type of stuff isn't their thing.”
Education is not lost in the Spring Market. Thompson does see a reflection of the school curriculum in the Spring Market. As an example, the language arts program is reflected in how students speak and listen to their customers.
In the case of those making baked goods or treats, they are using math to manage their recipes. Money management also falls under math skills.
Even science plays a part in how some students have approached their products. One student that made pet soaps last year, is adding to their product this year by adding flea and tick resistance.
“They've learned how to concoct those types of things,” Thompson said. “I think it [the Spring Market] just shows how well-rounded we are as a school in our curriculum. Even our arts is strong here in the Buhler district.”
The Spring Market will take place at Prairie Hills Middle School at 3200 Lucille Drive on April 23, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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