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TUESDAYS WITH MONEY: Cuero bank, schools team up to teach finance to students(Victoria Advocate (TX) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Apr. 26--CUERO -- Hands darted skyward when Shay Iacoponelli of TrustTexas Bank asked a group of Cuero elementary school students if they get an allowance. "How many of you have to do chores to earn that allowance?" she then asked of the Hunt Elementary students. Again hands went up. "How many of you save your money?" Iacoponelli queried. There were not as many hands in the air this time. She went on to discuss the importance of saving, money and finance from a beginner's perspective as part of National Teach Children to Save Day on Tuesday. April is also Financial Literacy Month. Five grade levels, with two bank employees conducting each program, heard about the history of money and how it has been used to shape the economy and culture. The program was the first in a series to be presented by bank employees at all grade levels. The afterschool financial-literacy program, a cooperative effort between the bank and the school district, is designed for students at all grade levels. Each month financial literacy will be taught by grade level using the American Banker's Association "Teach Children to Save" curriculum. One program will be taught this summer and will continue on Tuesdays next school year. Bank employees will teach the program and focus on financial history, money management and the importance of credit history, according to a bank news release. "It is important we get involved in financial literacy," said Iacoponelli. "It encompasses not only financial aspects like money math, savings and deposits, but for the older kids how important your credit is in your daily life." The program was also part of Financial Literacy Week in Cuero, April 22-28, as proclaimed last week by Mayor W.L. "Buzz" Edge. Attending the proclamation signing -- in addition to representatives from the school district, city and TrustTexas Bank -- were staff members from the office of U.S. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa. Also on Tuesday, the congressman took part in the fifth annual "Financial Literacy Day Fair" on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. About 50 organizations took part in the fair. The purpose of observing Financial Literacy Month is to encourage all Americans to take control of their finances and become financially literate during all stages of life, according to a news release from the congressman's office. Sonny Long is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-275-6319 or [email protected], or comment on this story here. Copyright (c) 2007, Victoria Advocate, Texas Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |