Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools March/April 2018 | Page 9

Union Elementary graduates UCPS’ inaugural class of the Young Bankers Club
Dozens of Union County Public Schools (UCPS)
elementary students are now financially savvy,
thanks to a new partnership between the school
district and Fifth Third Bank.
On Jan. 23, as many as 30 Union Elementary
students graduated from the Young Bankers Club,
a financial literacy program that teaches the
importance of education, finances and personal
responsibility. To celebrate their accomplishment,
the graduates received a goodie bag that included a
certificate and a Fifth Third t-shirt.
While the Young Bankers Club is offered in school
districts nationwide, the recent Union Elementary
graduates are the first UCPS students to participate
and graduate from the program. It is expected to
be rolled out in additional UCPS schools next school
year.
“This is a really big deal. You were purposely
selected for this program not only because you
are great kids, but also because students like you
deserve this opportunity that will prepare you for
your future,” UCPS Superintendent Dr. Andrew
Houlihan told the
students at the
graduation.
During the seven-
week program, which
was offered to students
enrolled in the after
school program,
participants learned
about a number of
financial literacy topics
ranging from the basics
of the stock market
to managing a bank
account to examining
interest and credit cards.
“In the Young Bankers Club, we learned how to properly take
care of our money, and we learned about the difference between
a credit and debit card. And we learned how to fill out a check – I
didn’t know any of that stuff before I came here,” said fifth grader
Reilly Jones. “We’re learning things that we’re going to need to
do in life. So if other kids don’t take classes like this, then they
won’t know how to do things they need in life, like how to open a
savings account.”
Fifth Third Financial Center Manager Ann Gogetz, who led the
weekly sessions along with Financial Center Manager Loraine Hager
and Personal Banker Shannon Blackburn, said their ultimate goals
for the program was to educate the students on the value of a
dollar and how career paths can determine their future as well as
the importance of professionalism and being respectful of others.
“Basically, this will help them to become financially empowered
as they go through life,” she said, adding that the Young Bankers
Club curriculum is also customized to national math education
standards. “A parent recently came up to me and said, ‘I can’t
believe that my kid knows all of this.’ It’s really been rewarding to
see how they’ve grown throughout the program.”
Left: On Jan. 23, as many as 30 Union
Elementary students graduated from the Young
Bankers Club, a financial literacy program that
teaches the importance of education, finances
and personal responsibility.
Top: While the Young Bankers Club is offered
in school districts nationwide, the recent
Union Elementary graduates are the first UCPS
students to participate and graduate from
the program. It is expected to be rolled out in
additional UCPS schools next school year.
Echoing that sentiment, Union Elementary Principal Jennifer
Deaton said that she was not only excited to see her students get
exposure to real-world scenarios but also loved seeing how their
knowledge of financial literacy has grown in such a short time.
“Everything that they’ve learned in the Young Bankers Club
will help them throughout their life,” she said.” “Eventually, they’re
going to have to pay rent or a mortgage, or consider the cost of
furthering their education. And they’re going to need to know
how to be financially stable and also make responsible financial
decisions on their own.”
Before the graduation ceremony, fifth grader Tristan Ring said
one of the most important lessons he’s learned in the club was
how to differentiate between wants and needs.
“And I’m learning about saving money and paying bills. I told
my mom that I think I’m ready to get a job now,” he said. “Other
kids should be in this club so they can get ready to get a job and
manage their money too, because now we know things that will
help us in the future.”
-This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools
Communication Office.
Parent Teacher Magazine • Mar/Apr 2018 • 7