Learning the Sense of Dollars

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Assistant Division Director for Depositories Nancy E. Graves joined Junior Achievement (JA) of New Jersey staff and 120 volunteers recently in presenting financial literacy classes to more than 1,000 students at First Avenue Elementary School.

The volunteers taught students in 46 classrooms such things as how to establish and preserve good credit, set up a budget, open checking and savings accounts and guard against identity theft as part of the Latino Professional JA Community Day.

“This day builds on the work that we have done in schools and classrooms throughout the state over the last six years,” Graves said. “For us to be able to reach one hundred percent of the school in one day is a testament to our public/private partnership with Junior Achievement of New Jersey and our other partners who participated in this great event. Financial literacy continues to be a top priority of the Department.”

In addition to providing financial literacy remarks, Graves visited with students and volunteers and observed other classes being taught throughout the school. The JA Latino volunteers taught elementary students about the importance of handling money wisely as they develop the knowledge and skills they need to realize their economic success, plan for the future and make smart academic and financial decisions.


“JA programs empower students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world – enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning and increasing their understanding of the value of school,” said JA President Catherine Milone. “Facilitating the connection between the students at First Avenue School, which is 85 percent Hispanic, and Latino professionals was a natural fit and has had a significant and positive impact.”

Program participants joining DOBI and JA of New Jersey in the event included the New Jersey Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Prudential, Hispanics Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement (HISPA), The Hispanic Bar Association and The New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA). Throughout the year, DOBI and its public and private sector partners invite school districts to participate in an ongoing financial education project. Since 2006, the statewide Financial Literacy program has reached thousands of students from all 21 counties.


Also, a new financial literacy high school graduation requirement began in New Jersey in 2010 with the 2010-2011 grade nine class. All students will take at least 2.5-credits in financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy. By graduation, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of how the economy works, their role in the economy, and how to develop the necessary skills to effectively manage personal finances.