On April 10, North Middlesex Regional High School students took part in the inaugural Credit for Life Fair held at the school. (Photo Courtesy North Middlesex Regional School District)
Jack Callahan and Kris Cummings were active participants in the Credit for Life Fair. (Photo Courtesy North Middlesex Regional School District)
Joe Lane, Lucas Eibye, Cade Callahan, Brian Gallagher, and Mason Schultz were among the participants in the Credit for Life Fair. (Photo Courtesy North Middlesex Regional School District)
Superintendent Brad Morgan, Assistant Superintendent Gary Burboa-Reese, Business Manager Nancy Haines, and Special Education Director Brad Brooks were present at the Credit for Life Fair. (Photo Courtesy North Middlesex Regional School District)
In Townsend, Superintendent Brad Morgan and North Middlesex Regional High School (NMRHS) Principal Tim McMahon are delighted to announce the involvement of the senior class in the inaugural Credit for Life Fair at the school.
On April 10, senior students congregated in the High School gymnasium to engage in an interactive financial literacy fair, coinciding with National Financial Literacy Month observed in April.
The fair was made possible through a $5,350 state grant awarded to the school. This grant program supports schools in the selection and development of materials, curriculum, professional development, and in-person or virtual learning related to financial literacy. The grant application was spearheaded by STEM Director Kevin Cormier.
Seniors Jackson Bailey, Jack Amari, and Josh Gallagher put forth the idea for NMRHS to host the fair following their participation in a similar event at another high school. Their proposal was presented to the School Committee in December.
Collaborating with faculty, district administrators, and Superintendent Morgan, the students successfully secured grant funding and coordinated the fair. The fair planning served as an extension of their Civics Action Project, during which they identified a lack of financial literacy among students statewide.
During the fair, students were assigned a monthly income and then rotated through stations hosted by local banks and businesses. At these stations, they made financial decisions based on their income related to various topics including insurance, transportation, savings, retirement, career counseling, luxuries, cell phone plans, and education.
Participation in the fair provided students with exposure to real-life financial decisions they may encounter post-graduation. It also facilitated meaningful discussions with peers and volunteers on financial matters as they prepared for independent living beyond high school.
Given the success of the fair, Superintendent Morgan and the administrators aim to establish it as an annual tradition at NMRHS with continued grant support. Additionally, there are plans to develop and endorse a comprehensive financial literacy course. The prospect of this course has already garnered interest among students, with several enrolled to commence the class in the Fall 2024 semester.
“We are thrilled to offer our students a hands-on education in financial literacy, a crucial and pertinent subject for their future,” expressed Superintendent Morgan. “Our gratitude goes to Jackson, Jack, and Josh, as well as our funding source, for enabling this initiative. Their dedication will leave a lasting impact on the financial education provided to our students.”