This week, first graders at Crestview Elementary visited their neighbors at Peoples Bank for an up-close look at all things money. These students are currently learning how to count money and possible career paths to follow. The bank visit serves as a hands-on experience in banking and a segway into their next lesson in financial awareness, such as earning, spending, saving, and charity giving.
Peoples Bank has been a long-time supporter of Frenship, and especially of Crestview since they are just across the street from one another. The students walked over to the bank where they got a tour of the building and got to see the various job tasks performed by staff.
The students watched the drive-through containers race through the tubes out to the vehicles and back, the counting machines counted bills very fast, and the coin machine sorted hundreds of coins. The staff took the group into the room with safety deposit boxes and discussed what people keep in them and what the students think they might put in one.
The tour ended in the conference room where the students were shown counterfeit money and learned about the design of money. The employees were working hard in the bank but made time to stop, wave, and welcome the Crestview first graders.
The Crestview first-grade teachers stated that it is wonderful to have businesses in the Crestview neighborhood that welcome their students. “Peoples Bank employees are generous with their time and resources to show Crestview students through the bank,” said Saundra Wimberley, a second-grade teacher at Crestview. “Two classes visited at a time, so it took three days to complete all the trips. The tie between community and schools continues! Hopefully, this trip will also help children to set goals for saving their money in the future.”
All the students enjoyed the chance to walk somewhere in the neighborhood, learn about money, and banking. The group now has a few new jobs to consider for their futures. Who knows? The future bank president might have been one of those young visitors this year!