Heartland Elementary students had an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new HSB Huskie Branch Bank on Wednesday afternoon!
Heartland Students will have a safe place for loose change at the new HSB Huskie Branch Bank!
Heartland is officially on the map, partnering with a local financial institution to promote student savings.
The Heartland elementary students had lots to cheer about at the opening program introducing its new banking savings program! K-6 students gathered in the school theater Wednesday afternoon to hear firsthand from Elementary Principal Dana Reinke and Henderson State Bank representatives how the new savings program will work.
The highlight was the Money Machine provided for the event by the UNL Council on Economic Education. Representatives from each class were given a chance to enter the blow-up green Money Machine and see how many fake dollars they could catch. It was entertaining, with plenty of cheering from each class. FBLA officers counted each student’s catch and reimbursed them with real dollars from Henderson State Bank.
The new savings program has been in the works for the past year in cooperation with Henderson State Bank, Heartland FBLA, and the UNL Council on Economic Education. Justin Ott from HSB approached the Heartland School Board last year about starting the program, and they agreed to move forward with plans to launch it.
“This program is going to exist because of the generosity and community spirit of Henderson State Bank. By partnering with our school, HSB isn’t just teaching kids how to save money; they’re investing in who our students will become,” said Reinke.
The program didn’t happen overnight; it included training for the FBLA students who volunteered to develop marketing plans and take it on as a chapter project. HSB had to complete background work and help the school set up a separate account to run the savings program.
Heartland FBLA students who helped with the program, from left to right, were Maddox Regier, Meggan Friesen, Kate Haidle, and Ashlyn Friesen. The Theater was filled with the entire elementary student body and teachers for the exciting program – HeartlandBeat photos
“Last spring, all the fifth-grade students had the opportunity to apply to be sixth-grade student tellers. They had to get a teacher’s signature of recommendation and complete an in-person interview with representatives from Henderson State Bank. Seven students successfully completed this process and were selected to become our first-ever student tellers,” said Reinke. They received teller training and visited HSB for hands-on experience.
The new tellers include Adelaide Bartek, Elliot Buller, Elinor Kroeker, Zoe Mills, Tynsley Orgorzolka, Tamsyn Splinter, and Hyde Switzer.
Next week, on Tuesday, September 8th, from 7:50 – 8:15 a.m., they will open the bank for kids to make their first deposits. Students who want to participate have to return a signed permission slip. HSB will match up to $5 on September 8th.
Elizabeth Hiebner from HSB explained how the four-station process in the south gym will work. Students will receive a check register, deposit slip, and receipt when they make a deposit. There will also be a prize station after making a deposit. Any coin or bill amount will be accepted.
The Huskie Branch will be open every other Tuesday from 7:50 – 8:15 a.m. for students to make their deposits during the school year.
Reinke explained how the program works and the benefits of learning to save at an early age. Students can withdraw their savings after completing 6th grade or if they move away. She gave an example of how a student who deposits $3.25 at every opportunity, and with HSB matching, could save as much as $65 per school year.
The program is designed to help students learn to save, even in small amounts, building a habit that will last a lifetime, said Reinke.
The program concluded with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with plenty of enthusiasm and cheering from the students!
