Entrepreneurs/Edible SchoolYard/Grandparents

Today began with a terrific presentation by Joe Nehman of Tanger Outlets. He spoke to our 8th graders about his business, challenging them to think of ways to make it "greener." Joe is the fourth guest speaker for SOAR. Earlier in the week, students hosted Gary Lindenberg of Marquis, who described his passion for chairs. He challenged students to design a chair to sell for profits going towards the 8th grade Israel trip. Jillian Reich visited as well, describing the transition of her cottage tie-dye business into Dye-Nation.

The Greensboro Children's Museum broke ground yesterday for its "Edible SchoolYard." Sandra Carroll and I attended to represent B'nai Shalom. We are very excited that our own garden will be a satellite of the GCM project and were delighted to meet Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. This morning, Sandra and Dawn accompanied first and sixth/seventh graders to work in the garden. They scavenger-hunted some vegetable and then harvested them, with permission to taste and eat! The older students were partnered with the first graders. What a pleasure it was to watch our middle schoolers mentor the younger kids, leading them by the hand and encouraging them to write their own answers on clipboards.

I left the group happily trying basil, okra, rosemary and peppers and flew down Friendly back to BSDS for our Grandparents' Lunch. We were thrilled with the overwhelming response: 54 grandparents attended! Entertained by PreK, K, 3rd and 4th singing about apples and honey, grandparents enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Painted Plate. Tours were led by able 7th graders and several teachers. Short presentations by David Altman (President, BOT), Steve Friedland (parent and board member), Carole Krusch (Chair, Grandparents' Club) and Kevin Daniels (Chair, Annual Fund) completed the program.

Introducing... SOAR Innovation, Education and Entrepreneurship Institute

Last Friday, we launched SOAR: Innovation, Education and Entrepreneurship Institute in the eighth grade. SOAR stands for Stretch your mind/Operate through collaboration/Adapt to change with agility/Reduce your footprint.

During each session, guest teachers share their expertise with our students. BSDS parents Micah Goldstein and Steve Friedland co-facilitate the program. A keynote address by Dr. Eric Kraus set the stage for the year-long course. Eric spoke about purposeful work, making a difference, networking, education, imagination and innovation. Students learned how to turn an idea into a product, while discovering the purpose of service marks, trademarks and patents. Dr. Kraus walked the class through the entire invention process, from "conception of idea" to finished product, and allowed students to examine his patented Kraus K-Helix middle ear prostheses. By asking provocative questions, such as "Is Google making us stupid?" and "Can you really save time - or can you just spend it?" Eric urged the students to invest in themselves by continuing to dream, think creatively and maintain a passion for learning.

Today's session featured Gary Lindenberg and Jillian Reich. Jillian discussed start-ups and business plans, using Dye-Nation as her example. (She also gave all of the students "seconds," and while they were enjoying their new shirts, explained why she cannot sell imperfect items.) Terms such as loans, overhead, utilities and trade shows piqued student interest.

Gary introduced the class to the world of furniture production, focusing on experience, knowledge and passion - as well as having a good business plan. He presented the students with a proposal - create a chair (with his assistance) by committee, market it and judge its success by sales. As the students contemplated his assignment, I explained that this was a true proposal - Gary agreed to put the 8th grade chair into production and sell it - with profits going to the 8th grade Israel trip! Now - the ideas are flying - and students want to imprint "B'nai Shalom" on their chair, but are weighing whether or not that will make it sell better (alumni) or less successfully (general consumer). The entrepreneurs are off and running!