The Healey-Driscoll leadership granted a monetary education grant to North Middlesex Regional High School in Townsend.
In January, the university learned it had been awarded $5,350 through an FC: 104 Financial Literacy Planning and Implementation Grant. The award program provides funding to support schools in the collection and/or growth of materials, curriculum, expert development, and in-person or online learning related to financial literacy.
At the November School Committee conference, three students suggested financial education efforts. North Middlesex’s application was submitted.
North Middlesex School Committee members heard from senior members Jackson Bailey, Jackson Gallagher, and Jack Amari about how to apply financial literacy efforts.
The three juniors conducted research for the neighboring districts’ Program of Studies as part of their Civic Action Project (CAP) last spring, and they also surveyed students and staff. They also went to a local financial literacy fair. Through their task results, Gallagher, Bailey, and Amari identified a lack of financial literacy for learners across Massachusetts.
The class, who are now in their freshman year, made the decision to carry on their CAP to promote North Middlesex. In order to better prepare their classmates and potential students for life after high school, they want to impart real-world fiscal expectations, responsibilities, and money-management skills to their classmates and potential students. This spring, North Middlesex will use the give money to host the Credit for Life Fair for kids.
A financial education course will also be offered following the school year using the grant money. The training aims to give students the necessary skills and knowledge to make sound economic decisions, manage their finances, and lay a solid foundation for economic well-being. Students who enroll in this course will have the tools to navigate the complexities of economic existence, from investing to future planning to budgeting and saving. By encouraging economic responsibility, this course will also aim to provide students with lifelong abilities that will help them both in personal and professional settings.
Students are required to create a hypothetical budget during Credit for Life Fairs. Learners are first assigned a regular income, and then explore tables overseen by local banks and businesses, as well as group volunteers, and make economic decisions based on their money regarding topics including planning, travel, savings and pensions, career counseling, luxuries, smartphone plans, and training. Students gain a better understanding of wholesome spending choices, the importance of accounting, and how to make complicated financial decisions by going through the steps involved in creating a realistic budget.