Everything Under The Sun: A Trip To The Bank Brings Financial Literacy To Life

Thursday, March 10, 2016

A Trip To The Bank Brings Financial Literacy To Life

A little pizza goes a long way in helping to learn math concepts.

GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL is one of several independent schools in the Baltimore area. It provides an education for girls in grades K to 12, and it also has a boarding component. Its pre-K program is coeducational.

Fourth grade students are receiving a financial literacy education as part of their curriculum, in association with M&T BANK, while other students in the lower school also receive a financial education, designed for their grade levels.

From playing the market in the Maryland-wide STOCK MARKET GAME to learning about stocks, budgeting, markets in general, savings and checking, etc, the students are receiving a comprehensive financial education and enjoying their learning. Particularly impressive is how savvy and smart the girls have become through their participation.

Just a few days ago, the fourth graders embarked on a short trip to the M&T BANK BRANCH ON REISTERSTOWN ROAD before it was open for business. Dana Livne, part of the 4th grade team that teaches the curriculum, noted, "What an incredible and unforgettable experience for the girls! We enjoyed a complete tour of the bank before it opened to the public, which is very rare."

Getting a little help from a teacher while working on a project.

Ben Wade, the bank's vice president, was all ready to greet the students and lead them on a tour of the bank. Students got to see both vaults and the area where customers are assisted with drive-through banking. They even got to push the button to receive and return items to the customers through the tube system. Then the M&T bankers, who had been working with the students, joined them, including Lennore Brownley, branch manager; Renee Trueheart, teller manager; Kaila Jenkins, marketing support; and Debra Parks, manager-in-training. Both Ms. Brownley and Ms. Trueheart discussed their roles at the bank and what it was like in the teller role, to serve a line of bank customers. Then the students got the opportunity to role-play the teller role, before returning to the school.