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Third-graders learn safe ways to handle money
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Angelina Jones isn’t quite old enough to be a financial guru, but she has a few good ideas pertaining to thrift that she can proudly take to the bank.
“I learned we should have our money safe and not let anyone see it,” the Williamson Elementary School third-grader said. “You shouldn’t waste your money on wasteful things.”
Angelina was one of 39 third-graders from Williamson who attended a recent program on safe ways to handle money conducted at OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, 11 W. Federal St.
Spearheading the 30-minute presentation were two representatives with Cortland Banks.
It’s also a good idea to place loose change in a jar, Angelina observed.
“Don’t ever give your money to strangers,” said Xavier Cuevas, who also noted that personal-identification numbers used at automated-teller machines should always be kept secret.
Another valuable lesson people need to know is to keep their Social Security cards at home and never share the numbers, added Nataysia Sunderman.
Identity thieves “could get money from it and buy things that are not useful,” Nataysia said, noting that it’s always important to keep funds in a trustworthy bank.
These were among the main lessons the youngsters gleaned from the recent presentation that Matthew Batcho and Danielle Cantrell gave.
Cantrell, Cortland Banks’ vice president of retail banking, read aloud part of a fictional story about two girls who visit a movie theater and make a series of risky and unwise moves regarding their money. The youngsters pretended to be investigators and were instructed to yell “Stop!” when they heard something in the story pertaining to the two characters’ poor money habits.
Batcho, a retail investment sales assistant, also narrated part of the story and had the students explain what they felt were safe alternatives for handling their money.
With a little prodding from Batcho and Cantrell, the third-graders discussed how people need to be circumspect about sharing how much money they have. It’s also important to carry small amounts and avoid spending a lot unnecessarily, several students pointed out.
“I want the children to understand the value of money and make wise choices with their money,” said Laurie Lamancusa, one of the teachers. “They don’t always get this at home.”
Also at the program was fellow third-grade teacher Ann Milkovich.
The ubiquity of the Internet makes it much easier and faster to buy merchandise, but it also provides criminals with another, quicker means to steal people’s identity, so it’s imperative youngsters understand sound ways to protect themselves and be safe with their money, Lamancusa continued.
“It’s a valuable lesson to learn that money needs your attention and how money is involved in their lives,” she said.