Oakwood Elementary

Oakwood Elementary School in Plymouth recently launched a restaurant project called Graft’s Wooden Spoon. Fifth graders ran the restaurant May 11 and 12. Total proceeds, which were given to IOCP’s food shelf, were $3,225—$2,600 from the Wooden Spoon, $500 from the Oakwood Student Council, and $125 sent directly to IOCP.

Graft’s Wooden Spoon brought back a project known as Graft’s Grill, which was managed from 1997 to 2005 by Suzanne Graft, a teacher in the Wayzata School District for 16 years. During her time as a 5th grade teacher, Suzanne managed a small business project that gave students an opportunity to see how the skills they learn in school are relevant to them in the workplace. Graft’s Grill was incorporated into the class curriculum, taught students how a small business operates and gave them a chance to practice their skills in a relevant hands-on situation. This project was a combination of experiential learning and community service.

Initially, Suzanne’s class ran Graft’s Grill at Country Side Café in Hamel. The Wooden Spoon was held in the gym at Oakwood School and involved the entire 5th grade—that’s 101 kids! The four 5th-grade teachers collaborated with parent volunteers to plan and operate the restaurant. Guest speakers were brought into the classroom to teach the students subjects such as human resources, marketing, sanitation, preparing meals, and how to perform every job necessary to operate a restaurant. Training was conducted by teams of parent volunteers. The school gym was converted into a wonderful restaurant, including a chef’s table for special guests.

Plans are to make this an annual event.