occupation can provide for one lavish item, although the credit scores do make an impact. Redwood Credit Union says it has reached more than 41,000 people through more than 900 financial literacy presentations and sessions. They’ve run more than 240 Bite of Reality simulations reaching nearly 21,000 individuals. “Financial literacy is crucial for young people to build a strong financial foundation,” Martin explains. "It empowers them to make informed decisions, achieve financial goals and contribute positively to their communities.” RCU additionally offers community support through grants and sponsorships, as well as online resources for self-guided learning. “Our goal is to equip young people with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive financially.” Kanzler best describes the program as experiential leaning, emphasizing that with the new legislation going into effect by 2027 requiring schools to teach financial literacy. “It’s a great accompaniment,” he says. “There are several schools getting ahead of it already that have created a financial curriculum, freshmen to senior year,” says Kanzler. One of those schools happens to be right here in our backyard in Sonoma County. Maria Carillo at the forefront The pumas at Maria Carillo High School (MCHS) in Rincon Valley are no stranger to Bite of Reality workshops on campus, having held the event for the past five years. Additionally, the high school is the first locally to implement financial literacy in its curriculum.
Maria Carillo High School this year offers senior-class Bite of Reality money- management events through Redwood Credit Union.
“We’re the only campus to have an integrated CTE [career technical education] with English or any other subject area relationship where students are using math and business readiness skills to do projects and host events,” says Trisha Terrel, English teacher and work-based learning teacher at Maria Carillo High. “Financial-applications math is a new course that a couple of schools in Santa Rosa City Schools started piloting about three years ago,” she says. “We also have a CTE pathway program for students in our auto, culinary and sports med pathways.” While all seniors in California are required to take government and economics to graduate, the additional courses such as financial- applications math and business-prep English are by choice, she says about courses which apply math formulas to finance situations and communication techniques in the business world, respectively. “This year, I brought a proposal to our team of department chairs and asked for support in hosting an all-senior-class Bite of Reality through Redwood Credit Union,” she says. “I’ve hosted these for smaller groups of our CTE students in the past, but I definitely see the need for all kids to have financial literacy—especially as a mom of a student who graduated from Maria Carillo in 2023.” The response from students is always positive, opening their eyes to the reality of life beyond high school. “The Bite of Reality is the quickest and easiest way to educate students about the reality of what it costs to make it after high school,” she says. “Kids say it's fun, but very eye-opening—and almost every one of them says they have a new appreciation for how their parents support them financially.” She’s found timing is key for some topics—like saving, loans and
52 NorthBaybiz
September 2024
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online