Katahdin Trust teaches savings habits

    HOULTON — Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans acknowledge not saving enough, reports the Pew Research Center. That’s why several bankers from Katahdin Trust Company will be teaching area school children the value of saving their money, as part of National Teach Children to Save Day (TCTS) on April 27. These out-of-the-ordinary lessons will bring a fresh face to the classroom to encourage a greater appreciation of saving and spending wisely. TCTS lessons couple reality with learning, incorporating hands-on scenarios and real life experiences.
    The TCTS program is sponsored by the American Bankers Association Education Foundation, and since 1997, has reached 3.4 million young people with the help of some 80,000 banker volunteers.
    Materials used in the presentations support curriculum standards which have been established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council of Teachers of English and the Family and Consumer Sciences.
    “Many of life’s most important lessons are learned outside the walls of the classroom,” said Katahdin Trust Company Senior Vice President Vicki Smith, who oversees the bank’s efforts in the program. “Katahdin Trust Company employees are delighted to participate in conjunction with area teachers in helping children understand basic financial principles and the importance of a savings program, not just for today but for their futures.” Smith said this is an important service we can provide in our community – to our friends, neighbors, and customers.
    Twenty-nine Katahdin Trust Company employees will be reaching out to over 780 students across northern Maine. Employees participating and the schools they will be attending include: Hill Top School in Caribou: Ann Ellis, pre-k, Mattie Maynard, kindergarten; Paul Guimond, first; Julie Haney and Christine Voter, second; Yancy LaPointe and Jenny Charette, Teague Park School in Caribou, third; Jana Shaw and Leslie Carlow, Caribou Middle School, fifth; Joe Clukey, Pine Street Elementary in Presque Isle, first; Connie Heald, Washburn Elementary, second, and Cornerstone Christian Academy in Presque Isle, kindergarten, first and second; Danielle Brewer, Easton Elementary, kindergarten and second; Karen MacDonald, Ashland Central School, third; Debra Cyr, Van Buren Middle School, seventh, eighth and ninth; Janet Saucier, Eagle Lake Elementary, second; Emily Hosford and Lisa Moore, Katahdin Elementary in Stacyville, third; Tori Barber and Renae Crouse, Fort Street Elementary in Mars Hill, fifth and sixth; Houlton Elementary, Krista and Andrew Putnam, first; and Annette Beaton, third; Debbie Schillinger and Mandi Noyes, Southern Aroostook Community School in Island Falls, third; and Paula Bernier, Erica McPherson, Mindy LaPointe, Selma Jane Phair, and Rena Bouchard will be leading a tour of the Bank’s Limestone office for the kindergarten class of the Limestone Community School.