Jalalian understands the role of government officials better now, thanks to Junior Achievement Day at Argonaut Elementary School in Saratoga.

JA Day was brought to 14 second-grade classrooms in the Saratoga Union School District on March 26 by the nonprofit JA organization. Through age-appropriate curriculum that meets California state education standards, JA programs begin at the elementary school level. Hands-on activities included in JA Day taught children how to impact the world around them as individuals, employees and consumers. The students were taught by parents, business professionals and community members, instead of their teachers, as JA Day brought the business world to their classrooms.

"They are learning about their community and the different businesses in their community," said JA program leader Patty Buchanan.

JA Day materials and services were provided at no cost to the school district, and the activities were run primarily by parent volunteers. Buchanan said students learned the difference between unit and assembly-line production of doughnuts, as well as how employees are paid for their work. They also tracked how money flows through a community and learned its value.

"I learned a lot about money," said Argonaut second-grader Karen Sung. "Sometimes when you get money, you might not get to keep all the money."

Saratoga parent Thierry Doyen, who works in high-tech sales, led a second-grade class with parent Rajiv Thareja, who works in enterprise software. They said JA Day gives students an idea of many professions they can chose to enter one day, such as a mayor, doctor, police officer, teacher, firefighter or merchant.

Saratoga parent Lisa Finley, who formerly worked as a certified public accountant and then as a manager for Hewlett-Packard, said she was amazed at the students who wanted to know about paying taxes and asked intelligent questions such as how to obtain a loan.

"If money grew on trees and was everywhere, it wouldn't have much value," said Finley to the students in her class. "One of the things that makes it valuable is there's a limited supply of it."

Kamala Palaniappan, who works as a software test manager for Microsoft, emphasized to her students the importance of staying in school and going to college. She said this is especially significant since students in Saratoga have high standards and ambitions of holding high-paying jobs like their parents.

"I don't have huge goals like my CEO Bill Gates," Palaniappan said. "But I just want to make a difference in the lives of these students, and I want that to stay with them and inspire them."

"This country has all the opportunities," she said. "All you need to know is what you want to do."