Photo: Students at the Practical Money Skills Experience. Photo Credit: BDCC Staff
TOWNSHEND — At the Reality Fair, students get an idea of the responsibilities ahead.
“It’s become a beloved experience for our students and for the volunteers and the chaperones who come,” said Christy Betit, manager of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Pipelines and Pathways Program, a workforce development program dedicated to connecting all students in Windham County high schools with career awareness and preparedness opportunities. “Everybody enjoys it. I think it’s a great day for both learning and actually seeing in action how fantastic our community is and how much it wants to support our students.”
Schools from all over Windham County attended the fifth annual event at Leland Gray Union Middle and High School on Tuesday, said Jen Stromsten, director of programs at BDCC.
Students were given a budget sheet that assigns them a job.
“It’s a real wage for Southern Vermont,” Stromsten said. “It tells them what comes out of their paycheck, their monthly paycheck, and what’s left to spend.”
Students went around the room, going from station to station, figuring out how to meet their basic needs. They also hopefully consider other things such as a pet or a gym membership, Stromsten said.
Volunteers from about six financial institutions in the community helped the students work through their budgets. Volunteers also came from local businesses.
