What extracurricular activities do economics teachers typically sponsor?

Common options include Economics Challenge (a national competition), DECA (business and entrepreneurship), stock market simulation clubs, personal finance clubs, Model United Nations (which often covers economic policy), and student-run businesses or markets. Many economics teachers also advise the school newspaper's business section or the student investment club if one exists.

How do I attract students to an economics club through a newsletter?

Lead with what students will do and gain, not with what the club is. 'In Economics Challenge, you will compete against other schools by answering questions about markets, business cycles, and policy. Past members have earned college application material and scholarship recognition' is more compelling than 'Economics Challenge is a club that meets after school on Thursdays.'

Should the extracurricular newsletter go to students or parents?

Both, but with different angles. The student version should emphasize the experience and what they will gain. The parent version should cover the commitment level, the time requirement, and any costs. If you send one newsletter to both, organize it with a clear student section and a parent section rather than trying to serve both audiences in every paragraph.

How do I communicate club updates throughout the year?

A monthly one-page update works well for active clubs. Include what the club accomplished last month, what is coming up, any recognition students received, and whether there are still open spots for new members. Brief, consistent communication keeps families invested and helps students feel proud of their participation.

What tool helps economics teachers manage club newsletters alongside class newsletters?

Daystage lets you maintain separate recipient lists for your class families and your club families, so your economics club newsletter goes only to the right people. You can set up recurring templates for monthly updates and send both class and club newsletters from the same platform without mixing the audiences.

Economics Teacher Newsletter: Club and Activity

An economics extracurricular newsletter does two jobs: it recruits students who would benefit from the opportunity and it keeps current members' families informed and invested throughout the year. These are different enough goals that they sometimes require different approaches, even within the same newsletter. Here is how to write one that accomplishes both.

Economics Extracurriculars Worth Highlighting

Before writing anything, get clear on what you are promoting. The most popular economics-adjacent extracurriculars in high schools are DECA, Economics Challenge, stock market simulations, personal finance clubs, and entrepreneurship competitions. Each has a different profile: DECA is business-oriented and has national competitions; Economics Challenge is academic and specifically tests macro and microeconomics knowledge; personal finance clubs tend to be student-driven and more informal.

Your newsletter should describe which type of activity this is so families can help their student decide whether it is a good fit.

Writing the Recruitment Section

Start with what students will experience, not with logistics. One paragraph on the activity itself: "In the Economics Challenge, teams of four students compete in regional and state tournaments answering questions on macroeconomics, microeconomics, and current economic events. The competition runs from November through March and typically takes about two hours per week."

Follow that with why students join: "Students who have competed in past years have cited it as one of the most valuable academic experiences they had in high school. Several have used it as the centerpiece of their college applications. One former member received a $2,000 scholarship specifically for her competition record."

Then the logistics: meeting time, commitment level, any fees, and how to sign up.

The Parent Information Section

Parents need to know the time commitment and cost before they will support their student joining. Be direct: "This club meets every Thursday from 3:30 to 5:00pm. We have two away competitions per semester. Transportation is provided by the school. There are no fees for participation. Students should expect to spend about 30 minutes per week on individual preparation outside of meetings."

If there are costs, list them and say whether financial assistance is available. Hidden costs discovered after sign-up erode trust quickly.

Sample Recruitment Newsletter Opening

Here is a template opening for an economics club newsletter:

"This year, I am looking for eight students to join our school's Economics Challenge team. You do not need to have taken economics yet to join. What you do need: curiosity about how money, markets, and policies work, and the willingness to practice. Last year's team placed third in the regional competition, and two members went on to compete at the state level. If you are interested in understanding why the economy works the way it does and want to compete against students from across the state, this is the right activity. Here is what to know before you sign up."

Ongoing Monthly Club Updates

Once the club is running, a monthly newsletter to members' families keeps everyone connected. Cover three things: what the club accomplished last month, what is coming up in the next four weeks, and one student highlight (a win, a piece of work, a recognition). Keep it to one page. Families who receive monthly updates are more likely to support their student's continued participation when the commitment gets demanding.

After a Competition or Event

Send a recap newsletter within 48 hours of any competition or significant event. Even if the team did not win, describe what students did and what the experience was like. "Our team competed against 24 other schools in the regional Economics Challenge on Saturday. We placed fifth overall and won the microeconomics section. Every member gave their best performance of the season." Parents who did not attend appreciate being included in the experience through a specific account.

Keeping Recruitment Open Mid-Year

Many students who would benefit most from an economics club do not sign up at the start of the year because they are not sure what it involves. A mid-year newsletter that describes what the club has been doing since September, with a note that a few spots are open, often recruits the students who needed to see the activity in action before committing.

Economics Teacher Newsletter: Club and Activity Newsletter Guide