They are a few years away from entering the workforce, but seventh graders who volunteer at Brockport's Oliver Middle School bookstore can gain work skills as they help their community. The bookstore has been a part of Oliver for years and is now an official school club. Jessica Allen is the president, Zachary Costello, vice-president, Erin Burch is secretary and the treasurer is Sarah Kettles. For the past three years, health teachers Barbara Harrington and Jan Johnson have served as faculty advisors. Students can buy supplies at reasonable prices. Merchandise includes binders, paper, notebooks, folders and many different pencils, pens and highlighters. The bookstore is open on 'A' and 'C' days during homebase from 1:20 to 1:55 p.m. Student volunteers learn work skills. They count the money in the cash box, write down that amount as the beginning balance and compare it to the closing balance from the last day the store was open. When merchandise is sold, they record the name of it, how many were sold and the cost. There is more bookkeeping when students count the money in the cash box and subtract the amount of the total profits and compare that amount to the beginning balance. During a typical club meeting students reflect on their business, discussing what items are popular or not, whether prices need to be changed, how much or what advertising is needed and whether new items should be added, for example, for upcoming holidays. The volunteer schedule for the new month is also planned. The students' volunteer work satisfies the Oliver School's requirement that all seventh grade students perform community service throughout the year. The goal is to help students better understand their role in the community. Bookstore profit goes to charity. Since its inception, beneficiaries have included the Migrant Education Program and the Brockport Food Shelf. |
