FSNet News #7 -- September 16, 1999

CONTENTS

1 Announcements:

1.1 WORKSHOP: INFUSING BUSINESS & FINANCE INTO THE CLASSROOM

2 Resources:

2.1 NAF Conference-Manual Arts HS Senior Class Project

1 ANNOUNCEMENTS:

__1.1 WORKSHOP: INFUSING BUSINESS & FINANCE INTO THE CLASSROOM

The San Francisco STC Partnership has extended an invitation to Network members to participate in a workshop that will focus on developing projects with a financial services focus. This is a great opportunity to learn more about project-based learning and participate in the development of a library of projects for your career path. The workshop is scheduled for Sept. 23, 1999, from 8:30-3:30, at the Principalís Center, Second Floor, 43rd Ave. and Judah, San Francisco (parking lot off 43rd Ave.). If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please call Kelley Karandjeff, 415-242-2586, with your name, school, and phone number or email address.

2 RESOURCES:

__2.1 NAF Conference-Manual Arts HS Senior Class Project

One of the NAF conference sessions was a presentation by Mr. Alan Seigel of Manual Arts H.S. in East Los Angeles. Alan along with a number of present and former students explained how they developed a wonderful project that has had major impact on their community.

The seniors from the Academy of Finance program at Manual Arts for the past several years have chosen to support their community by putting on a "Homebuyers and Community Service Fair." The community that Manual Arts serves is highly impacted and has a low rate of home ownership. The purpose of the fair is to publicize ways that low-income families can purchase houses with a zero down payment as well as other inform the community about other services that are available. The project involves hosting a community event that includes 80 financial institutions and community service providers distributing information in booths, various panel discussions (including keynotes from community leaders like Henry Cisneros), live entertainment, coordinating 150 student volunteers, and was attended by over 1,000 parents from the community.

The project is an opportunity for the students to integrate much of what they learned in school from both their technical classes (principles of finance, economics, financial planning, etc.) and their core academic classes. A major theme used to integrate the curriculum within the program is ìbuilding a better community.î The project requires students to use many of the SCANS skills and other standards.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the project over the years has had a major impact on their community. The rates of home ownership has increased and, one could argue, is the reason for a greater sense of community, less vandalism and graffiti, and a general improvement in the quality of life within the neighborhood.

If you are interested in this type of project, please . BaySCAN is interested in investigating the possibility of developing a region-wide financial services fair. As a Network, we may be able to get better access to media support, corporate sponsorships, and other necessary resources.