SHAWANO, WI – Students from Olga Brener Elementary recently got a hands-on look at how local businesses and city services operate during a community tour across Shawano. The educational outing gave students the opportunity to meet local leaders, learn workplace skills, and better understand the important roles businesses and government offices play in the community.
One of the featured stops was at Old Glory Candy Shop, where owner Karen Preston explained to students just how much work goes into operating a small business. Preston emphasized that every employee plays a major role in keeping the business running smoothly.
“Mrs. Tetting has to do everything from bag candy to work with customers to clean the bathroom to manage money to give fudge samples to make ice cream cones to sweep the front,” Preston told the students during the visit.
Preston also used the opportunity to teach students how math skills are used every day in business operations. Students learned how employees count money and learn how to make change.
Students at Old Glory Candy Shop
The tour also included a stop at Shawano City Hall, where City Clerk Lesley Nemetz gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how local government functions. Nemetz explained the responsibilities of city officials and how city staff work together to support the Shawano Common Council and residents.
“So during those meetings, the three of us are there to help support all of the elected officials and make sure that if they have questions or if they need an understanding of why we’re wanting to make the decisions we’re making, we are there to help them during that process,” Nemetz said.
Along with visits to Old Glory Candy Shop and City Hall, students also toured several other local locations including Twig’s Beverage and Shawano Municipal Utilities as part of their community learning experience.
The tours were designed to help students connect classroom lessons with real-world experiences while introducing them to careers, public service, and the businesses that help make Shawano operate each day.
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