Plainfield, IL Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 has started the new school year with students at its four high schools learning how to become future entrepreneurs.
INCubatoredu is a national program that provides specialized curriculum to hundreds of member schools in more than a dozen states. The INCubator program provides online instruction materials, consultation on how the classroom is designed, a coaching and mentoring framework and professional development resources for a year-long course.
“Kids learn best by doing and that’s exactly what this is about and it’s a great collaboration with the community,” said Dr. Kate Morris, District 202’s director of high school curriculum and instruction.
District 202 serves approximately 25,000 students each year from a 64-square mile area serving parts of Bolingbrook; Crest Hill; Joliet; Lockport; Naperville; Plainfield; Romeoville; and unincorporated Will and Kendall counties. It is the fifth largest public school system in Illinois by enrollment, behind the City of Chicago, Elgin, Rockford and Indian Prairie (Aurora/Naperville).
The district approached the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce almost two years ago inquiring about a partnership, Morris said.
“And now thanks to the chamber’s leadership and like-minded vision,” Morris continues, “almost 35 local business owners are volunteering as mentors or coaches to 75 high school students enrolled in this capstone course starting this school year.”
The chamber of commerce is also excited about the partnership with area high school students.
“I am extremely passionate about this program because of the hands-on experience these students are going to get,” said Tasha Marsaglia, executive director of the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce.
Marsaglia said she believes this program will help close a gap between local businesses, schools and student partnerships.
“The big picture goal is to build internship opportunities for our students in our community workforce,” Morris said.
Students will spend the year building a product and with that they also will learn essential working skills such as critical thinking and collaboration.
“Our students will be public speakers by the end of the program,” Morris said.
Community Champions help recruit volunteers to serve as coaches, mentors, and board advisors. They also connect volunteers with the teachers in each building and help train the volunteers.
The Community Champions for the 2024-25 school year are Cristina Zamarron, Tortilla Flatz Mexican Grill owner, Plainfield Central High School; Phil Ramos, Office Furniture Solutions president, Plainfield South High School; Marsaglia, Plainfield North High School; and Susan Hohlman, sales trainer, mentor and entrepreneur, Plainfield East High School.
The INCubator program will culminate with students presenting their product ideas to business investors in a “Shark Tank” type competition, Morris said. “Shark Tank” is a popular ABC show where entrepreneurs pitch their product ideas to business leaders, like Mark Cuban.
The winner will receive a scholarship to use to further their education or business model. To donate to the D202 INCubator, visit the Plainfield School District 202 Foundation for Excellence at www.d202foundation.org.
To learn how to become a mentor or coach, contact Morris at kmorris@psd202.org or (815) 577-4346.
Plainfield School District 202 Foundation for Excellence is an independent non-profit organization committed to the development of enrichment programs and services that make a significant contribution to the quality of education.
Since its establishment in 1983, the foundation has disbursed more than $1.2 million to support District 202 students and staff by funding grants, scholarships and projects.
