Jefferson School Begins a Student Fiscal Responsibility Program

Brian Kimbrough of the Youth Financial Literacy Foundation recently visited Chicago Heights School District 170's Jefferson School to introduce a fiscal management and responsibility program to eighth-grade students at the school.

Principal Christopher Baikauskas joined eighth-grade teachers Kristin Linde, and Matthew Andersen in welcoming Kimbrough as Jefferson became the first school in the district to implement the program.

As stated on the Youth Financial Literacy (YFL) website, the Foundation seeks to enhance the knowledge of financial responsibility while expanding educational opportunities for today's youth.

The Foundation efforts to ensure that young people are better prepared to stabilize and succeed in their economic futures.

"A program such as this one is vitally important in enhancing our students' understanding of the intricacies of money management," Baikauskas said.

"We are most grateful to Mr. Kimbrough and his associates for taking the time to introduce the YFL Program at Jefferson School."

The Foundation has established programs for young adults that will enhance their understanding of critical financial concepts while providing materials and instruction necessary to present an educational foundation that will last a lifetime.

At Jefferson, the YFL is presenting its Family Mint's award-winning Money Management Certification Program.

The program combines a 60-page step-by-step workbook with a fun online money management application that allows students to 'learn by doing.'

This simple hands-on program is taught for an hour a week in eighth-grade homerooms, and the pupils who complete the two-month program will develop essential money management habits that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives.

"Financial success and independence begin with forming the right habits and behaviors," Baikauskas noted.

Jefferson School held an informational parent meeting on Wednesday, October 9th, to explain the program and its benefits to students, parents, and the entire school.

In addition to implementing the course, the Youth Financial Literacy Foundation will make a donation to the school-based upon the number of students who complete the program.

Linde and Andersen were enthusiastic in praising the efficacy of the program.

"The students and their parents seem excited to begin this new initiative," Linde said.

"Many parents, after hearing about the program's lessons, mentioned that they wish they'd had a program like this when they were in school, and I agree with them, 100%!"

"Throughout our daily lessons, we teach strategies for reading and comprehension as well as problem-solving and measurement. These skills will be essential in their adult lives, so why not skills for saving, budgeting, and investing?" she concluded.

"The students also are excited about the incentives for completion of the program," Andersen added.

"The level of parental enthusiasm concerning the program is palpable and coupled with excitement that their children will have an opportunity that they wish they had had when they were younger."