Introducing the benefits of literacy and business-planning to third graders

For the last six summers, the Gadsden County School District has partnered with, Gadsden County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and Florida A&M University’s Minority and Retired Security (MARS) program to provide E-STREAM, a hands-on, learning program for reading.

E-STREAM aims to prepare and motivate third grade students for the upcoming Florida State Assessment reading component while also helping implement financial literacy at an early age.

E-STREAM is an acronym for Entrepreneurship, Science, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math.

The traditional six-week program consists of covering various topics relating to each letter of the acronym, through different readings and take-home assignments.

The third graders ultimate task for the six weeks is to use each topic to help them build their own lemonade business.

By the end of the six weeks, program instructors aim to see the students develop stronger reading comprehension skills, and learn to create a personal business plan, lemonade recipe and logo.

E-STREAM, a program that explores literacy in both the reading and financial sense, has completed another year of instruction with Gadsden County third graders. Through E-STREAM, students are introduced to the subjects of entrepreneurship, science, reading, engineering, arts, and math and encouraged to assemble their own business models and plans.

The innovator of the local E-STREAM program, Jennifer Collins spoke about the overall growth and effect that the program has had on the campers over the years.

“Results have gotten better over the years, the Gadsden County School District reported that passage rates have improved over the years as a result of the hands-on learning used in E-STREAM to support the efforts of the summer reading program,” said Collins.

Collins also mentioned how a variety of child development resources show that students often learn better when they have opportunities to practice and engage with the content they are learning.

The E-STREAM program ended its five-year partnership with the Florida A&M University’s MARS grant program last summer due to funds being fully allocated.

The program received a $500 grant to continue the program at the end of the Florida A&M University’s MARS period.

The Gadsden County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated also donated over 200 books to the E-STREAM program.

Chair of the Gadsden County Florida Alumnae Chapter School of America, retired educator and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Patricia Taylor, shared some of her roles in the E-STREAM program and how it feels to continue to make a fulfilling impact.

“I read to the camp students and assist with weekly activities while also soliciting volunteers from other Greek organizations and members from the community to come help out weekly,” said Taylor.

Taylor went on to share how she values the opportunity to still make an impact on students as a retired educator.

“As a retired educator, it is very rewarding to continue to make a positive impact on children's lives and education. It is gratifying to me to still assist with the education of students in Gadsden,” Taylor added.

This year's E-STREAM finale ended with the campers getting a chance to meet and interact with two local entrepreneurs.

Owners of Gurlie’s Lemonade (Tallahassee), Demetrius Murray and Marquis Williams took the opportunities to pass down some entrepreneur tips to the third graders, also providing a treat of Gurlie’s signature deep fried oreos and lemonade for the end of year celebration.

Murray expounded on the company's visit to the E-STREAM program.

“Catering to kids is always exciting, but this one kid expressed his concept and plan with so much passion, I almost burnt the oreos paying attention to what he had to say. I was so impressed to the point that one day I see myself investing in him,” said Murray.

The E-STREAM reading program varies in location and is determined by the Gadsden County School District.

For more information about the program and next year's location, contact the Gadsden School District at (850) 627-9651.

Daunte Williams - Gadsden County News Service

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Introducing the benefits of literacy and business-planning to third graders

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