Roxbury students run seasonal businesses as part of special services and elementary entrepreneurship programs
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Students in Roxbury Township School District presented student-run businesses — a high-school auto-detailing service and a dog-treat bakery — as part of vocational and elementary entrepreneurship programs funded by grants; staff and trustees praised hands-on skill development and community support.
Students in Roxbury Township School District described how school-run businesses are being used as hands-on vocational training at a board meeting this month.
At Roxbury High School, students in the SUCCESS 18–21 transition program highlighted two seasonal ventures. "Bubbles on Bryant will be open for business," said Tyler Colucci, describing an auto-detailing business that allows students to practice inventory, customer service and detailed cleaning tasks. Classmate Mateo Verraza Agama presented Gale Goodies, a made-to-order dog-biscuit business he said helps students practice reading orders, multi-step directions and money management.
Theresa Hernandez, the district’s transition coordinator, told the board the program pairs work-based placements (grocery stores, recycling centers, YMCA, Arlington Senior Living) with classroom enterprises so students can rotate through roles such as inventory manager, baker and customer service. "It's a different experience," Hernandez said, framing the businesses as opportunities to develop transferable employment skills.
At the elementary level, community school coordinator Anne Rhodes reviewed the district’s TREPS (entrepreneurship) program, which expanded in 2024 with grants from Sustainable Jersey for Schools and the PSE&G Foundation. Rhodes said all seven district schools achieved silver certification in 2024 through Sustainable Jersey for Schools and that this year’s TREPS marketplace drew "over 300 guests" and involved roughly 80 students from grades 4–6.
Rhodes credited local partners and said students’ marketplace booths ranged from sweet treats and pets to upcycled crafts; several student-run ventures donated portions of proceeds to local charities. She told the board the program includes hands-on lessons on product development, marketing, finance and salesmanship and that organizers plan to run a spring after-school TREPS enrichment for grades 4–6.
Board members and administrators praised the presentations during the meeting and encouraged continued community outreach and use of digital payment options and signage to support sales. The district said students will continue balancing work-based placements with school businesses by season.