Baton Rouge, LA- A group of students from Staring Education Center took the first steps Wednesday, February 28th in launching the first school-based credit union geared specifically for middle school students in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and the State of Louisiana.

Staring Education Center has partnered with LA DOTD Federal Credit Union (FCU) to open the branch which will be run by students under the guidance of LA DOTD FCU staff.  Several students spent the day at LA DOTD’s Denham Springs branch for training and orientation. The staff prepared them for the real-world responsibilities of working in a financial setting.  The training comes after an eight-week classroom session where students were assigned their work positions which include co-marketing director, co-branch manager or co-member service representative/teller.

Students will staff the in-school credit union during operating hours where they will do everything from setting up savings accounts to accepting deposits from classmates and teachers. “I can’t tell you how much excitement this has created,” said Clara Joseph, principal at Staring Education Center, an alternative middle school for over-aged children in the East Baton Rouge Parish Public School System. “The students are so excited and proud to be part of this unique program.”

Other activities planned for the program include:

• March 26 – April 20: School-wide Savings Challenge and Credit Union Name/Logo Contest.
• April 27: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and announcement of new name/logo.
• May 4: Grand Opening of Staring Credit Union Branch

The program is presented through a scheduled class during the school day, where students study financial topics such as savings and deposit accounts, simple and compound interest, check writing and types of payments. In addition, students learn the business skills needed to operate a credit union branch, such as member service, confidentiality, dress codes, and receipt and cash handling. To participate, students must follow established behavior and classroom expectations.