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Elkview Middle School Students Learn Financial Management
Posted Friday, November 20, 2009 ; 05:10 PM | View Comments | Post Comment
Updated Friday, November 20, 2009; 05:45 PM

Students get a taste of real life.

Story by Sarah Lieu
Email | Bio | Other Stories by Sarah Lieu

Elkview -- Students at Elkview Middle School in Kanawha County were told to "get a life."

That's the name of a game under the state Treasurer's office's "Net Worth" program.

It's a game to show students how to get a life through financial management.

So, for the moment, these eight graders at Elkview Middle school were 27 years old.

"Two kids! your monthly grocery bill is going to be $550!" says one official manning a table in the school's gymnasium.

Students were given a fictional job with a salary.

"Operations clerk," says one student. "I'm a janitor," says another. "A bus driver," says a third student.

And they were given hypothetical situations.

"I'm married and no kids! ugh!" yells out one female student.

They're expected to buy housing, groceries, a car, visit a doctor and take on life's unexpected turns as a grim reaper roams the room.

One student is stunned when she receives a card from the reaper. "I pretty much had a heart attack!" she shouts.

Halfway through the game, they get a chance to "go back in time" to improve themselves.

"I'm going to have to go to college, get a really good job, just watch my money." says Hayley Dravish.

And part of what they learn is every parents' wish.

"I just realized how much my mom and dad pay for me to live like I do and how much I'm paying to live just for myself." says Mikayla Craze.

Some, however, are a step ahead of the game.

"I'm already very smart right now. I barely spend any of my money. That way I know I'll have enough at the end of the month." says Vic Bishop.

And at the end of this game, they learn how to get a life they want.

The Net Worth program began in 2008 and is a partnership between the state Treasurer's office and the state Department of Education.

Copyright 2010 West Virginia Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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