Starline Elementary’s ‘Kid City’ Event Teaches Civics And Business Skills

By Janet Cruz

“Kid City” at Starline Elementary School opened for business with a ribbon cutting featuring members of the Lake Havasu Area Chamber, City Council and other local dignitaries May 12.

Kid City Open For Business/ Courtesy of LHUSD

Community members, parents and students were given fake money to “purchase” items sold by students at their created shops during Kid City, to help students learn civics and commerce lessons.

Kid City Community Bank Booth / RiverScene Magazine

“This is a schoolwide event and all get to participate. Fifth-grade students got to build the stores, and all students got to shop. We also did special field trips to Foothills Bank, the Fire Station, City offices and the courthouse to show what commerce looks like in our community said Starline Principal Ginny Sautner.

According to Saunter, Starline Elementary received a $ 2,000 grant by Rural Schools Collaborative. The school used the funds to purchase pins for dignitaries, poster boards, name tags for students and other materials to produce the Kid City event.

Rural Schools Collaborative’s goal is to educate by place-based learning which means to connect students to their community in order to promote innovation where they live.

Students set up a bank, post office and sold bracelets, slime and many other goods in exchange for Kid City play money.

Kellan Mosley stands by her booth at Kid City event at Starline Elementary Friday. / RiverScene

“Kids have to set up their business license and store just like they do in real life, parent Amanda Mosley said. It is a great opportunity for them to learn.”