Mahwah Students Need Online Votes To Win Financial Grant

Thanks to Business Education teacher Bryan Hicks, MHS is in the running to receive a financial literacy grant from H&R Block. 

The grant, part of H&R Block’s Dollars and Sense Initiative, is designed to supplement the school’s financial literacy curriculum. According to Mahwah Superintendent Dr. Charles Montesano, the grant comes in the form of “a simulation software program that provides on-line simulations so that students can have real life experiences aligned to the Financial Literacy curriculum currently in place.”

Over 2,700 schools from across the country are being considered for the $500K in grants. Awards will be given to the 250 schools that receive the most number of votes on the H&R website. Each software grant is worth $1500.

Residents can vote online for Mahwah High School through April 15.

According to H&R Block, the winning schools will receive an “interactive curriculum that takes students through 18 real-life scenarios covering budgeting, credit scores, debt management, bill paying and more.”

Hicks says he initiated Mahwah’s application for the grant because the software would allow students to “enhance their critical thinking and problem solving skills through the use of technology.”

“We applied for this grant because our students need strong financial skills to succeed after they leave the classroom. The H&R Block grant will allow the department to provide students with an experience that will have a lasting effect long after they leave Mahwah High School,” he said.

Montesano said Hicks “has been instrumental in bringing in innovative programs, such as our E-Commerce course. Through these experiences, students are not only required to use online resources, but to also engage in collaboration and teamwork, in a virtual world.”

Mahwah High School is not currently one of the top 50 vote-getters listed on the tax preparation company's website.

“I certainly encourage all Mahwah residents to get behind this effort and vote for Mahwah’s application. Great program, great real life experiences in a critical area - financial literacy - and at no cost to taxpayers,” Montesano said.