It's just one part of Job Club that teaches real life lessons.
What's on your "To Do" list? Maybe vacuum, balance the checkbook, pay some bills, take out the recycling? All of that is being done by students at one Northern Michigan school.
"It's kind of like real life," said Phillip Bourgeois, a sixth grade student.
During school hours, Grand Traverse Academy students find the time to get jobs done. It could involve keeping the halls and bathrooms neat, helping out at the office or lost and found, even acting as banker or payroll accountant.
"Job Club is some real life learning here at school. Academics are so important, but this is something the students can apply to real life," said Tammy Myers, an upper elementary teacher. "It applies to everything from character education like responsibility and work ethics, to real life skills like balancing your checkbook and paying insurance."
If you find yourself surprised by these students taking on all of that, you're not alone.
"My mom was stunned! Like 'At this age! It's really quite advanced.' But mostly they were happy," said Ella Haase, a fifth grade student. "They were happy I could experience this at a young age."
Job Club makes the students happy too, taking a lot of pride in what they do.
"My job is supervisor, where I supervise the other jobs. We get along and it's fun," said Bourgeois.
Like good grades and social skills, teachers see Job Club as yet another tool students can use toward a successful future.
"I am amazed by this because I used to teach job skills to adults. Now kids 9, 10, 11 years old are getting the education so much earlier," said Myers. "As they get into the job market, things are going to be really competitive. If they go in knowing what it takes to do a good job and keep a good job, they are going to have a leg up."
