Jornell Whigham completes a worksheet Thursday while a pair of credit union employees man a colorful wheel that illustrates to Kaiserslautern Middle School students that unforeseen developments can add or deduct from a person’s budget. (Kevin Dougherty / Stars and Stripes)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Seventh-graders at Kaiserslautern Middle School headed to the gym one day last week for some exercise.
But instead of engaging in a conventional workout, the kids were asked to stretch their dollars and tone their budgets. Maintaining financial fitness, they have learned this school year, is an ongoing process that requires diligence, dexterity and a ready eraser.
"It’s good because people learn to save and manage their money better," Genna Lahmers said of the program.
That’s no small thing nowadays, given the state of the world economy.
On Thursday, Lahmers and other seventh-graders attended a fair where they had to visit specific booths dealing with everyday concerns, such as rent, utilities, insurance, food, transportation or discretionary spending. The aim is to improve the students’ overall math grades and to lay the foundation for becoming a responsible consumer.
For the students, some hard choices — albeit of the make-believe variety — were the order of the day: How much education do I need? What car can I afford? Is there enough money for a vacation?
The program is a joint effort between the school and Service Credit Union, which sent several representatives to the fair to help math teacher Margaret Hess. As school fairs go, this was fairly elaborate, with the commissary, exchange and USO among the participating entities.
"They worked hard" throughout the school year, Frances Cartwright-Graeber, an SCU manager, said as she looked out at all of the booths. "They deserve it."
The fair’s most popular attraction was what organizers called The Wheel of Reality. Each student had to spin the large game wheel once to simulate unforeseen developments that can help or hurt the bottom line. Most were eager to find out if they stumbled into a small windfall or got slapped with a penalty or fine.
However, one of the students, Tyler Pecht, avoided the wheel until the bitter end. A couple of SCU associates thought Tyler was being overly cautious, and it sure seemed that way, given how wary he looked whenever he got close to the wheel.
But Tyler was just being careful, wanting to make sure he "had enough money in case something bad" came along. With $582 in an imaginary savings account, his prudence paid off. Tyler got slapped with a $100 fine for speeding and had no trouble paying it off.
"It’s been a great learning tool for the kids," Hess said. "They now know the value of savings and the interest they can earn."
Jornell Whigham completes a worksheet Thursday while a pair of credit union employees man a colorful wheel that illustrates to Kaiserslautern Middle School students that unforeseen developments can add or deduct from a person’s budget. (Kevin Dougherty / Stars and Stripes)
Genna Lahmers (center, seated) and Mary Jane Guerra (right) have their budgets checked by a volunteer at a “Reality Fair” this past week in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Seventh grade students at Kaiserslautern Middle School have been learning all school year about the financial realities adults face every day, from car payments to utility bills to education expenses. (Kevin Dougherty / Stars and Stripes)
The “Wheel of Reality” was one of the more popular attractions at a fair Thursday dedicated to teaching students about finances. (Kevin Dougherty / Stars and Stripes)
Jamison Wyrick (right) consults with a Service Credit Union volunteer at a “Reality Fair” this week in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Seventh grade students at Kaiserslautern Middle School have been learning all school year about the financial realities adults face every day, from car payments to utility bills, which is what Wyrick was trying to sort out. Standing with Wyrick is Shaheem Coleman (white shirt). (Kevin Dougherty / Stars and Stripes)
