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John F. Kennedy High School unveiled its newly created Stock Room today, which is now part of the school’s Business and Finance Pathway. It is one of the components of the District’s High School Restructuring Plan at the high school, joining the existing school store and student-run bank, The Castle 2.0, in the updated pathway. The Stock Room features new computers, a news ticker, and other newly-purchased amenities. The classroom was presented by Superintendent of Schools Eileen Shafer, Principal of Instruction Jorge Osoria, Pathway Associate Supervisor Martine Grant, and students enrolled in the pathway.

Separated from the high school’s library by a segmented glass wall, the classroom resembles a modern boardroom that can be found in any major corporate headquarters. A news ticker borders two walls with stock values and news headlines running continuously. Twenty new computers equipped with financing and book-keeping software line the walls of the room. Financing for the new facility was provided through ESSER II funding.

Students will use the room to learn about modern business practices, money-management, stock valuation and investing. They will then be able to put those lessons to practice in the school store and in the school bank. Upon completion of the Business and Finance Pathway’s three-year curriculum, students will have earned a QuickBooks certification and will have been exposed to various financial career possibilities.

Superintendent Shafer said, “This has been a long time coming. It's been something that we had planned prior to the pandemic, and thanks to our facilities and technology departments, we have been able to put this together, and it is state of the art." She continued, "We want to give them an understanding of the value of information, investing, and the tempo in which investment decisions are made. It's a full-blown curriculum that will help them with investing, especially in the future."

"Today is a culminating day for us as we have closed the equity gaps that our students have had no access to," Principal Osoria said. "Introducing these great resources and access to resources is only going to take us to another level."

Martine Grant said, “Our students have an opportunity today to invest effectively and have an impact on their families now and in the future."

Business and financial literacy teacher Edwin Hernandez said, "This lab is intended to serve as a dedicated space designed to inspire students. When students take classes in this room, that is what they will learn about."