DeKalb County High School has teamed up with the local banks to add resources to the Personal Finance class. Personal Finance is now a state required class for graduation. The teachers of this class pull in many resources to help the students understand that this is something they will deal with everyday throughout their lives, and that they have control over their own financial futures.
DeKalb Community Bank, an office of Wilson Bank and Trust, has been a great resource for DCHS and the Personal Finance Class. For the past several years, the students in Personal Finance have been using a checkbook simulation provided by Wilson Bank and Trust. In this simulation, students work through eight months of writing checks, paying bills, keeping a check register and reconciling their bank statements. In this activity, students get a feel of being on their own and being responsible for their finances, along with learning the techniques and procedures of handling a bank account. The simulation doesn’t only stress check writing, but also introduces other ways of making payments such as Debit cards, EFT, ATM, Online payments, and over-the-phone payments, which all incorporate technology. This simulation is updated to keep up with the changes in the banking industry. DeKalb Community Bank has also provided many speakers over the years.
DCHS has partnered with Liberty State Bank, an office of Citizens Bank, this year in educating our students in Personal Finance using the online program EVERFI. This program is sponsored by Citizen’s Bank and Liberty State Bank in a partnership to make sure that our students have the best possible resources available. Once students have completed the EVERFI program, they are “Certified in Personal Finance”. In the program, students work through modules covering a variety of topics, including: Financing Higher Education; Banking; Savings; Investing; Credit and Credit Scores; Insurance and Taxes; and Renting vs. Owning. The students watch videos, play games, take quizzes and tests over the covered information. They are graded on the items completed and those grades are used as a grade in the regular class.
Douglas Haehl, Marketing Coordinator for Citizens Bank, was on hand Tuesday, May 13 to present the students with their certificates. Students who are “Certified in Personal Finance” are:
Miranda Dyer
Noah Byford
Emerald McClanahan
Jennifer Caplinger
Sy Gohs
Chasity Garrett
Megan Strayn
Nathaniel Theriaque
Matthew Wright
Hannah Walker
Samara Williams
Carlee White
Zackery Underhill
Chloe White
Tara Bockoven
Hailey Summers
Amber Montgomery
Deveen Johnson
Angel Mathews
Ashley Beacham
Lauren Lewis
Bailey Bly
Noah Parsley
Regions Bank has also played a role in helping to educate the students on Personal Finance. Speakers from the Smithville Branch, as well as McMinnville, have come in to share ideas, information and experiences. Jeff Crips and Alex Woodward, have been representatives of Regions. Both are former DCHS students and value the opportunity to come in to speak and see students sitting where they once sat. They both shared experiences from high school, gave some advice on clubs and school involvement, how to approach their courses, as well as information on being a successful adult.
The Personal Finance Teachers of DeKalb County High School, and the students, want to say THANK YOU to the banks for everything they help us do and everything they provide. We appreciate the time, financial resources, and anything you have done to help better educate the students concerning their financial futures. We look forward to a continuing partnership with each.
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