Promoting the importance of financial literacy is the idea behind locating a Sikorsky Credit Union branch at Ansonia High School.
Students, staff, and representatives of the Stratford-based Sikorsky Credit Union Wednesday marked the grand opening of the branch. It is next to the cafeteria in the former school store location.
Four students have been working as interns and received their training at the credit union’s Stratford office.
Senior Sanjida Shamim is one of them. “Sikorsky teaches you how to maintain good credit,” she said.
“The internship is a great opportunity for us,” said senior Brianna Gordon. “I wanted to learn about finances.”
Fellow seniors Kyra Robinson and Caitlin Bryant are also interns.
The branch will be open from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, and from 7 – 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays. It is only available to staff and students.
Ansonia High School Principal Joseph Dobbins welcomed the Sikorsky Credit Union employees. ”This (initiative) is going to improve the financial literacy of the students of Ansonia so they can take control of their personal finances,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have a bank inside our school.”
Sikorsky Credit Union President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent Ciambriello said Ansonia High School joins Stratford, Oxford, and Seymour as the fourth high school to have a credit union branch.
“Ansonia residents make up a big part of our credit union membership,” he said. “I applaud the administration for allowing the partnership.”
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Michael Wilson said, “I know financial literacy is going to speak volumes for our kids.”
Superintendent of Schools Carol Merlone said she appreciates having a collaboration with Sikorsky Credit Union.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to learn financial skills, and a perfect school-to-career opportunity,” she said. ”It’s a necessary addition to our business department.”
The idea is the brainchild of former business teachers Sara Crooks and Karen Phipps. Both now work as master teachers at the high school.
Crooks said she and Phipps had discussed teaching financial literacy and locating a bank inside the school several years ago. They brought the idea to administrators who Crooks said “were in favor of it from the start.”
Mayor David S. Cassetti applauded the idea of having a branch in the school.
“It’s so convenient for the kids,” he said.
