Who fixes potholes? What are taxes? These were the questions discussed by Lincolnville Central School second graders one Monday recently as part of their hour with Tom Chester of Allen Insurance and Financial, their Junior Achievement curriculum leader, pictured here with some of his students.
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. Allen Insurance and Financial has been participating with the JA program in Lincolnville for two years.
The program is offered to students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, said Elyzabeth Richards, LCS guidance counselor. Allen Insurance and Financial is one of six area businesses which purchase a JA kit for a classroom and provide an employee to lead the curriculum. Joining Allen Insurance and Financial in this community education commitment are Viking Lumber, Robbins Lumber, Camden National Bank, Bangor Savings Bank and Mathews Brothers.
LCS middle schoolers in grades 6 through 8 build on their JA experience through the school’s career education, said Richards.
“Having business leaders involved in our school is a great gift or our students,” Richards said, noting that JA leaders follow their classes as the move up through the grades, building a mentoring relationship.
Businesses interested in participating in the LCS JA program can call Richards at the school: 763-3366. LCS is the only area school with a JA program; it was established seven years ago with the help of Camden National Bank.
For more information about Junior Achievement in Maine, visit jamaine.org