Students Learn 'Personal Finance' At West Orange Middle School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A middle school principal in West Orange is earning praise for helping young people learn how to handle their personal finances.

Lionel Hush, principal of Roosevelt Middle School in West Orange, was recently featured in a CNBC story on “teaching financial education in schools.” Read the full article and watch the video.

West Orange school administrators previously told Patch that Hush began introducing financial literacy programs at Roosevelt Middle School in 2017, well before the signing of A-1414 in January.

The law – which gathered support from Democratic and Republican party members – requires school districts to incorporate "financial literacy instruction" for middle school students in grades 6 to 8. It went into effect starting with the new school year last September.

• See related article: NJ Schools Must Teach 'Financial Literacy,' New Law Says

At Roosevelt Middle School, Hush's advocacy helped to create the Financial Discipline Award, a pilot program that awards teens cash towards opening or adding to a 529 college savings plan.

Hush was recently honored with the Circle of Rainbow Sisters Seeking Spiritual and Wellness Connection's (CORESWCC) 2019 Financial Literacy Advocacy Award for Teens.

• See related article: Principals In The Oranges Ahead Of Curve On 'Financial Literacy'

The program is giving students “real life practical activities” to do at home, Hush told CNBC.

“I think at first they were, they were a little dubious but once they got through the program,” Hush said. “It was something they found very beneficial.”

Gabe Strassman, an eighth-grader at Roosevelt Middle School, agreed the financial education has been helpful.

“The best thing about it is how you learn about how to save money for college and the rest of your life and how to spend your money wisely without wasting it,” he told CNBC. Read the full article.

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