Hays' Roosevelt fifth-graders get taste of adult life at AmeriTowne

Roosevelt students ran their own radio station at AmeriTowne. Courtesy photo. — Roosevelt students ran their own radio station at AmeriTowne. Courtesy photo.

USD 489

Roosevelt Elementary School fifth graders were finally able to see their hard work and lessons learned about economics, supply and demand, financial literacy, and spending local come to fruition when they visited AmeriTowne on May 10.

The AmeriTowne experience simulates a small city with the students working and earning paychecks they then spend within their city.

These students have been preparing for this day since January and determined it was worth the wait. They loved being an adult for a day.

Roosevelt students earned and spent a paycheck at AmeriTowne. They had to make transactions at the bank and keep a check register. Courtesy photo. — Roosevelt students earned and spent a paycheck at AmeriTowne. They had to make transactions at the bank and keep a check register. Courtesy photo.

AmeriTowne had its own police force who enforced the laws of AmeriTowne and issued tickets. Courtesy photo. — AmeriTowne had its own police force who enforced the laws of AmeriTowne and issued tickets. Courtesy photo.

Roosevelt students working in the utility department. Courtesy photo. — Roosevelt students working in the utility department. Courtesy photo.

An AmeriTowne postal carrier delivers mail. Courtesy photo.

A student is treated in the AmeriTowne clinic. Students who visited the clinic had to pay co-pays from their checking accounts. Courtesy photo. — A student is treated in the AmeriTowne clinic. Students who visited the clinic had to pay co-pays from their checking accounts. Courtesy photo.

Students were assigned random symptoms during visits to the AmeriTowne clinic. A student fills out a chart. Courtesy photo. — Students were assigned random symptoms during visits to the AmeriTowne clinic. A student fills out a chart. Courtesy photo.

An AmeriTowne utility worker checks a simulated fuse box in one of the city's businesses. Courtesy photo. — An AmeriTowne utility worker checks a simulated fuse box in one of the city's businesses. Courtesy photo.

The AmeriTowne judge, who was elected by her fellow students, hears a case. Courtesy photo. — The AmeriTowne judge, who was elected by her fellow students, hears a case. Courtesy photo.

Students who worked in the snack shop baked and sold cookies to their fellow students and adult volunteers. Courtesy photo. — Students who worked in the snack shop baked and sold cookies to their fellow students and adult volunteers. Courtesy photo.

The AmeriTowne volunteer fire department responded to a simulated fire. Courtesy photo. — The AmeriTowne volunteer fire department responded to a simulated fire. Courtesy photo.

Students who were interested in construction build birdhouses. Courtesy photo. — Students who were interested in construction build birdhouses. Courtesy photo.

Students film for the TV station. Courtesy photo. — Students film for the TV station. Courtesy photo.

The mayor of AmeriTown was elected by the students. Courtesy photo. — The mayor of AmeriTown was elected by the students. Courtesy photo.

Roosevelt fifth-graders visited AmeriTowne on May 10 for a taste of adulthood.  Courtesy photo. — Roosevelt fifth-graders visited AmeriTowne on May 10 for a taste of adulthood. Courtesy photo.