Local charter school receives $1K from national non-profit
A Michigan-based nonprofit recognized a Mission charter school for their contribution in financial literacy aimed at elementary school students.
Excellence in Leadership Academy received a $1,000 check from the Youth Financial Literacy Foundation after 70 students from the Mission charter school completed a series of assignments from a workbook meant to teach the students how to begin balancing their finances.
The students, 5th through 8th graders, were recognized at a ceremony at the school Thursday, March 24 where they each received a certificate of completion and a pizza party in their honor by the YFLF.
“We have students who take a workbook of assignments and are encouraged to engage with their parents to complete it,” Roberto Sadivar, executive sales director of the YFLF said. “The workbooks have lessons on how to write a check, how to balance a checkbook, how savings work and other skills they will need.”
As part of the exercise, the school was awarded $500 for every 35 students who completed the workbook, which started last November.
“By providing financial literacy we are ensuring their financial future to be responsible by the time they’re 18,” Saldivar said, noting that excellence in Leadership Academy is the first Valley school to be recognized by the foundation.
Lizet Saenz, assistant principal at the Academy, praised her student’s accomplishments and expressed an interest in having more of their students, 240 in total, participating in the exercise next year.
“They’re learning how to save money, it’s part of the vision of our school so we’re thankful this opportunity is going on,” Saenz said. “Our curriculum covers personal financial literacy so we required them to learn this anyway. We’re honored we have this program here.”
