Latest news with #RichardsonISD
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Richardson ISD student-run coffee shop brews authentic learning
The Brief The students at Richardson ISD's MST Magnet have been running their own coffee shop on campus to learn real-world lessons. In addition to learning how to make coffee, the students conducted market research, took out a small business loan, purchased equipment and supplies, and adjusted their prices and marketing strategies to be able to pay off their loan. They named their business Brew-tiful Minds and came up with the slogan, "Fueling futures one cup at a time." RICHARDSON, Texas - Students at an elementary school in Richardson ISD are gaining real-world experience by running their own coffee shop on campus. It will also help to raise money for the school's PTA. Brew-tiful Minds What we know Throughout the year, the fifth and sixth graders at Richardson ISD's Math, Science, and Technology Magnet have been learning how to start a business from the ground up. Teacher Cassie Cardwell first proposed the idea as a way to bring her reading and social studies curriculum to life. Student CFO Georgia Roberts first conducted market research. "I created the financial plan based off of a survey our team sent out to all the teachers in our school," she said. Students Davy Cass, the CEO, and Ellie Bready, the marketing director, helped to come up with the name Brew-tiful Minds. They secured a small business loan of $800 from their PTA to purchase supplies, milk frothers, and espresso machines. They also developed a marketing strategy that led to adjusted prices, a punch card system, and even gift cards that families can give teachers for birthdays and special occasions. Now, Principal Dr. Lauren Bolack is one of their many regular customers. "I take advantage of the Google Form and order in advance. So, every morning, there is a chamomile tea with a nice message on my desk," she said. What they're saying Cardwell said her students didn't really think she was serious at first. "It wasn't until after their first day of business and they closed, they turned around and were like, 'We made real money,'" she said. She's enjoyed watching how the project has helped her students grow. "The most spectacular light bulbs are the shy kids that find their voice, the kids that step into leadership roles. I don't have to hold these kids accountable for anything. They 100% do that on their own. They've learned teamwork, collaboration," Cardwell said. Richardson ISD Advanced Learning Director Kelsey Karcher called it authentic learning. "I'm sure we can all remember times in school where we've thought to ourselves, 'Why do I need to know this?' I doubt they've ever asked that while running their own business," she said. "I think the lessons they've learned, not only just about making coffee, which is an important life skill, but just to know that sometimes you have to rework your plans. Your original idea might not be the one that is the best idea." What's next The students paid off their small business loan this past Friday. That means they can now start funding their mission. "We are also donating money back to the PTA to like improve teacher appreciation and other things around the campus," Bready said. They are also working to pass the baton to their fifth-grade teammates who have been working in the shop this year. Those students will be able to apply for executive leadership positions next year. The Source FOX 4's Lori Brown gathered details for this story while visiting Richardson ISD's Math, Science, and Technology Magnet.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nonprofit on a mission to improve literacy with free books for students
The Brief Pop-Up Books is a Dallas-based nonprofit organization founded in memory of a second-grade teacher. The organization visited an elementary school in Richardson on Friday, handing out free books to make reading exciting. The literacy campaign is especially important at a time when less than half of all students across the state are reading at grade level. RICHARDSON, Texas - As school districts across North Texas struggle to get children reading at grade level, a Dallas-based nonprofit is working to provide free books in areas known as book deserts. The backstory Nick Bourgeois and his sister, Ryann Collier, founded Pop-Up Books in memory of his wife, Dominique, after she died of breast cancer in 2019. She was a second-grade teacher. "She fully knew the importance of it, and the confidence it gave them. Especially in second grade where they might be behind, always her mission was to get them back," Bourgeois said. What's new The nonprofit organization visited Aiken Elementary in Richardson on Friday, handing out free books to try to make reading enticing. "We know when students read books they are interested in, they will be interested in reading," said Alejandra Isais, Richardson ISD's director of Library and Information Technology. Big picture view Isais said there are still signs of the pandemic's effects on children in schools, especially when it comes to literacy. According to STAAR testing data, fewer than half of all students across the state are reading at grade level by third grade. It's why getting kids excited about reading can be the small spark that makes all the difference. "The critical years are kinder through second grade. If they are not reading at grade level by third grade, that's when it has effects in other areas," Isais said. What they're saying "What makes us keep doing this is seeing the smiles on their faces knowing they want to take it home and read with their family or by themselves," Collier said. "Not all of our kids have access to books or libraries," said Leslie Ingram, Aiken Elementary's library information technology educator. "I heard, 'This is the best day ever, I get to take a book home and it's free!'" In a world full of learning and entertainment on screens, it's a reminder of just how meaningful words on pages can be. "In elementary grades, kids are excited to come to the library, pick up a book and read it," Isais said. Dig deeper For more information about Pop-Up Books, visit The Source FOX 4 reporter Lori Brown visited Aiken Elementary School in Richardson to interview the founders of Pop-Up Books, as well as educators and students who received free books on Friday.
