McKeesport Students Learn About“ Financial Reality”
Juniors at McKeesport Area High School participated in a“ Financial Reality Fair” on March 10th to turn their dreams and goals into a real-world learning experience many adults never had. The event is part of a program with Clearview Federal Credit Union, which takes a hands-on approach to financial education by partnering with teachers to help students learn how to manage their money through budgeting, planning, saving, credit, and other financial topics during classroom sessions. Then, to apply the knowledge, the Financial Reality Fair is held.
Stephany Rush, the Financial Wellness Program Manager, oversees the school programs at Clearview. At McKeesport Area High School, she worked with Transition Coordinator Jen Knight to make sure the students were ready for the various booths and activities at the fair. Mrs. Knight works with students with Individual Education Plans, helping them prepare for their transition after graduation. Ms. Katy Davis teaches juniors a requirement for graduation entitled“ Essential Career Skills.” All students in Ms. Davis’ s classes, along with those Mrs. Knight is working with, combined from spring and fall classes, included about 200 juniors.
Rush explained she is excited to show the students how to look at their goals and to budget so they can work to attain them.“ Most are truly amazed at what everything costs when they need to pay for it themselves. The sessions on budgeting are a real eye-opener for those who are used to having their parents pay for everything.”
The different fair booths on housing, transportation, groceries, clothing, entertainment, etc., were busy with juniors with chromebooks who wanted to see how they could make it on their own or with a roommate. Each had a pre-loaded budget form with what they would be earning monthly from their career choice. From there, Clearview Federal Credit Union staff from McKeesport’ s branch and other area offices, including top management, helped guide the students in their choices.“ Do you really want to spend almost $ 1000 a month on going out to eat every day in the month? Then maybe you’ ll have to get a part-time job in addition to your full-time job just to meet your expenses,” were comments Clearview’ s Ray George, Chief Information Officer, asked several students. For most, the options presented were reviewed again, and some would cook at home and go out to eat once in a while. Others planned on going back to their parents to eat.“ But is that really something you would do every day?” asked George.“ Think about how your schedule would be – is that realistic?” For most, it wasn’ t.
One of the favorite booths was the Wheel of Reality. Each student could spin it and land on something that could just happen in everyday life. For instance, some examples included getting a speeding ticket for $ 85; receiving an invitation to a wedding, but having to buy a $ 50 gift; winning a cash prize of $ 150; or having your phone break and needing to buy a new one without insurance. Each student who spun the wheel had the opportunity to see what can just happen. Not being able to pay for added costs or expenses can happen any time. Being prepared with savings is a way to help, and the activities of setting spending limits and budgeting what to spend for cell phones, internet, entertainment and personal care were all taken into account. Students had to
JUNIORS LEARN ABOUT“ FINANCIAL REALITY”
Photo Caption: Spinning the wheel and taking a chance on what may happen to enhance or deplete your finances. Life is full of unexpected events that can’ t always be planned for in
Spinning the wheel and taking a chance on what may happen to enhance or deplete your finances. Life is full of aunexpected events that can’ t always be planned for in advance. Juniors participated in a Financial Reality fair in March in conjunction with Clearview Federal Credit Union.
decide what mattered most to them and adjust their budgets accordingly. Did they really need to get the latest cell phone or join the most expensive gym, or was that something that they could wait to do when their earnings went up?
Janet Preteroti worked the wheel for the morning and enjoyed seeing everyone’ s reactions. Her role with Clearview is Chief Experience Officer, working in employee and member relations to make sure the services and supports are clear.
Clearview’ s Chief Executive Officer Lisa Florian enjoyed working various booths and advising the students. In the afternoon, she worked on the part-time job booth and many students came over for advice on what to do since their full-time starting pay wouldn’ t be able to support their lifestyle. Florian, like the students, explained that to get through college she worked in the restaurant business and received tips to help her pay her expenses. Several students seemed surprised, but it helped them to see that no one really goes into the workforce at the top. There are various ways to work your careers, gain experience, and move forward.
Clearview Federal Credit Union is one of the partners with WPXI 11 Cares. Duquesne Light also participated by sending volunteers, and other partners supported the event by providing items for the students. WPXI interviewed several staff members and students about the fair, and the story aired on the evening news.
Clearview staff and fair volunteers were treated to a choice of several lunches in the district’ s Tiger Inn, which is run by the culinary department of the Career Technology Education center.
Teachers, students and Clearview staff were pleased with the outcome of the fair. Rush summed it up,“ We’ ll be back to do it again next year! We love working with McKeesport Area School District. In fact, we had a few alumni from our staff who came to volunteer today. It is a great community experience for all!” Mrs. Knight agreed, saying,“ This hands-on experience is a valuable way to convey so much information that makes an impact with the students. We look forward to doing it again next year.”
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