Randall Edwards says a little reading could mean money toward a college savings plan.
(SALEM) - State Treasurer Randall Edwards on Thursday will kick off Reading is an Investment, a new literacy and financial education program for elementary school children. He will visit schools across the state throughout October to promote this long-term investment in the financial education of Oregon’s young students.
“Financial literacy is no longer the language of accountants and investment professionals,” said Treasurer Edwards. “People of all walks of life need to understand the basics of money. Reading is an Investment is a fun and rewarding way to encourage children to read, and to start building the foundation of basic financial knowledge that they can use throughout their lives.”
Reading is an Investment is designed to highlight the importance of reading and to teach basic financial concepts to young children. Treasurer Edwards, in partnership with the Oregon College Savings Plan and OppenheimerFunds, Inc., donated three books to every public elementary school library in Oregon. Each book has its own set of curriculum and activities, developed by a group of Oregon teachers and librarians, and is tied to the State standards in Math, Language Arts, Social Sciences and Career-related Learning.
“This library book donation program is a fantastic way for educators to combine basic financial concepts with the state's academic standards in a way that encourages students to have fun learning while they read,” said Patty Sorensen, Oregon State Library's School Library Liaison.
As part of the program, children are encouraged to read a certain number of hours from a specific list of books that teach basic financial concepts. After completing the required hours, children will receive a certificate of achievement from the State Treasurer, fun prizes and entrance into a drawing for a chance to win one of 50 college savings plan account scholarships that will be awarded in April 2007.
Treasurer Edwards will kick off the program in the following cities:Portland
Thursday, October 12th, 9:15 am
Markham Elementary, 10531 SW Capitol HighwayBeaverton
Thursday, October 12th, 12:30 pm
Cooper Mountain Elementary, 7670 SW 170th AvenueEugene
Tuesday, October 17th, 9:30 am
Edgewood Community Elementary, 577 E. 46th AveSalem
Tuesday, October 17th, 1:00 pm
Auburn Elementary, 4612 Auburn Road NEBend
Monday, October 23rd, 10:00 am
High Lakes Elementary, 2500 NW High Lakes LoopRedmond
Monday, October 23rd, 1:15 pm
Tom McCall, 1200 NW UpasMedford
Monday, October 30
Lone Pine Elementary, 3158 Lone Pine Road 10:00 am
Jackson Elementary, 630 W. Jackson Street
12:45 pm
Treasurer Introduces New Literacy and Financial Education Program for ChildrenSalem-News.com