Reality Store: Photo Update

Communities In Schools of Pitt County held a “Reality Store” at CM Eppes Middle School in March. Seventh and Eighth grade students attended this day long event held in the school media center. Over sixty community volunteers from Oakmont Baptist Church, The Communities In School Board of Directors and an ECU Fraternity spent the day teaching students about finances in the real world. Each student was given a check register, provided by Wachovia Bank, with a description of the job they held, the amount of money they earned, and their family situation. The students then went to stations to purchase homes, insurance, medical services, groceries, utilities, automobiles and child care. A trip to the bank was a part of the learning experience. Student comments were, “Wow, I am going to have to sell my SUV and get a cheaper car”. and “I have spent all my money and don’t have any food”. Several students wrote on their evaluation that they learned a lot and the most important thing they learned was to stay in school and get a good education so that they can get a good job and afford the things they need. Communities In Schools hopes to have the Reality Store in all of Pitt County’s Middle Schools next year.