Every Friday in July, about 30 students in Chicago’s Southwest side rallied together to sell broccoli, squash, carrots and other fresh vegetables and natural products to area residents. The budding entrepreneurs from the Academy of Global Citizenship’s summer program withstood the summer heat to ensure residents enjoy a healthy treat.
“It’s been good because on Fridays, we’ve been able to sell these fresh products to all the people who come to our farmer’s market,” said Gabriel Ornelas, a seventh grade student and first-time program participant. “We give out healthy food, so these people can have a healthy life.”
“Our school focuses a lot on sustainability, so we want to teach the kids where our food comes from, how to grow it, what it takes to maintain a garden, and produce things,” said Melissa Chaidez, AGC’s Extended Learning Coordinator. “We also want to teach entrepreneurship, how to interact with people and handle money. The farmer’s market is a really fun way to teach them those things.”
The farmer’s market is a staple of the charter public school’s 4-week summer program held every July. In addition to the market, the program features weekly enrichment, organic chef-prepared lunches, arts and crafts and physical activities like karate and yoga. Students also take weekly field trips to exciting educational and environmental locations including the Nature Museum, Green City Farmers’ Market and the Museum of Science and Industry.
AGC’s summer program is open to students and friends and family of students enrolled at the charter public school. Scholarships are available to families who need assistance.
AGC is an authorized International Baccalaureate and Dual Language public school that embeds environmental sustainability education into its curriculum. With an extended school day, AGC students track solar energy production, enjoy a zero-waste food program, and have regular access to a garden.
Interested in sending your student to the tuition-free, open enrollment charter public school? Find more information here. Prospective family tours are held on the first Wednesday each month school is in session.