LAKEPORT — As a part of the “Learn to Earn” financial literacy program, the students of Lakeport Elementary School (LES) were treated to ice cream by the Umpqua Bank Ice Cream Truck on Tuesday.
Associates from Umpqua Bank in Lakeport have been visiting classes at LES and presenting lessons on basic financial concepts. Students are taught to distinguish the different types of money, their value and the importance of careful money management and saving.
Umpqua Bank developed its Learn to Earn program 10 years ago with the goal of introducing financial concepts to young learners and reinforcing these concepts through interactive hands-on activities, according to Paula Bryant of the bank. In Lakeport, the program has also been integrated into the music program where the students have learned songs that include counting money.
To date, Lakeport Elementary School has received $1,750 from Umpqua Bank in school supplies for its participation in the program, according to Bryant.
Additionally, the associates of the bank hosted a bake sale fundraiser to sponsor the transportation costs of a field trip to the bank for three classes of second- and third-graders on May 13. The field trips included tours of the bank that gave the students a behind-the-scenes look at the teller line and money counters, drive-thru banking, the vault and the functions of the ATM.
The tour concluded with the students singing their money song “Quarterrific” to the top executives of Umpqua Bank via conference call. The executives wanted to reward the students with a visit from the Umpqua Bank Ice Cream Truck, Bryant stated.
