Lansing Elementary students in AmeriTowne

AmeriTowne On the Road wraps up third year in Aurora

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Young AmeriTowne staff members literally “set up shop” in Aurora during the month of April, marking three years of presence in the Aurora community.  This year a total of 537 students participated in AmeriTowne On the Road, presented by CoBank, representing schools throughout the district. The Aurora location made the program accessible for all types of learners.  Principal Jennifer Murtha …

Colorado Container Corporation Sign: students inside the store making briefcases

Sponsor Spotlight: Lessons Made Possible by Colorado Container Corporation

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Complex economic concepts come to life in Young AmeriTowne, and the Containers Shop is no exception. Thanks to support from Colorado Container Corporation, students can experience, not just learn about, supply and demand. On a recent Wednesday, Container Shop Manager Daniel* had a huge smile on his face.  Daniel, age 10, had just increased the prices of his products because the …

What’s better than a trip to Young AmeriTowne?  A trip that includes a special visit from the top elected official in Colorado: Governor Jared Polis!

Fifth grade students from Cherry Drive Elementary were thrilled to host Governor Polis in Young AmeriTowne on April 23 to celebrate Financial Literacy Month.  Governor Polis joined Department of Regulatory Agencies (or DORA) Executive Director Patty Salazar and Young Americans Center for Financial Education President and CEO Rich Martinez in welcoming the students to Towne.

 
GOVERNOR JARED POLIS SWEARS IN THE AMERITOWNE MAYOR, JUDGE, AND POLICE FORCE.

Prior to the Towne’s Opening Ceremonies, Ms. Salazar and Governor Polis challenged the students to practice financial responsibility.  During their day to run Young AmeriTowne, students receive their own paycheck in so they can budget their money and record purchases in their checkbook register. “These are the kinds of lessons you’ll need to know someday,” said Governor Polis.

The teachers and principal from Cherry Drive Elementary, which has participated in AmeriTowne for more than a decade, whole-heartedly agreed.  “This program brings standards to life,” remarked Principal Tina Hepp.  Nodding, Teacher Kim Carreon agreed.  “The kids learn a ton, and they love it,” she said.  Teacher Nicole Lecumberry added, “What I appreciate is the level of engagement from the students.  Whenever I say that we’re working on AmeriTowne, the kids can’t wait to get out their workbooks.”

 
DORA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PATTY SALAZAR ASKS STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR TOWNE LAWS.

Across Towne at the Snack Shop, 10-year-old Mckenzie sipped lemonade with a huge smile on her face.  “I feel happy because we have an opportunity to come here and not just sit at school.  Plus, we got to meet someone that not many people get to meet,” she said, referring to Governor Polis.

Learning Comes to Life in Young AmeriTowne

Janet Redwine Events, General, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

What’s better than a trip to Young AmeriTowne?  A trip that includes a special visit from the top elected official in Colorado: Governor Jared Polis! Fifth grade students from Cherry Drive Elementary were thrilled to host Governor Polis in Young AmeriTowne on April 23 to celebrate Financial Literacy Month.  Governor Polis joined Department of Regulatory Agencies (or DORA) Executive Director …

Presented by Honda Schomp Parts & Service Shop

Sponsor Spotlight: Real-World Learning in the Schomp Parts & Service Shop

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Today was a busy day in the Young AmeriTowne Parts and Service Shop named, “You Break It Me Fix It.”  Employees performed maintenance for vehicles in Towne and sold lollipops and sunglasses to their customers.  If it weren’t for the size of the shop and the age of the workers, who are all fifth graders at Aurora Academy, you would …

Fidelity Investments has funded the Send-a-School initiative of Young Americans Center since 2016.  Send-a-School ensures that deserving students and schools receive scholarships to attend the Young AmeriTowne or International Towne programs, and 8,271 students from 102 schools benefitted from this project last year.

Sponsor Spotlight: Fidelity Investments’ lasting impact on young learners

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It’s National Volunteer Week and a perfect time to shine a spotlight on a Young Americans Center for Financial Education partner that provides time, talent and treasure: Fidelity Investments.  Thanks to Fidelity Investments, young people from all backgrounds receive a hands-on lesson in financial education that lasts into adulthood. Fidelity Investments has funded the Send-a-School initiative of Young Americans Center …

The Denver Post Sign with Students Walking Below. Young Americans Center for Financial Education first partnered with The Denver Postnearly 20 years ago to create a life-like Newspaper shop.  Volunteers from The Denver Posteven renovated the shop by painting and creating artwork to hang on the walls.  Today, in addition to financial support from Denver Post Educational Services via Colorado NIE , the Post continues to provide shop enhancements like aprons, lanyards, clipboards, and pencils for 5th-grade Newspaper employees.  Thanks to The Denver Post, students feel like they are working for a real newspaper.

What makes the newspaper in Young AmeriTowne?

Janet Redwine Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Extra, extra, read all about it!  Each day, the Young AmeriTowne Newspaper reports the day’s most important news in a real, four-page newspaper.  This real-life experience in journalism is possible because of long-time supporter The Denver Post. Young Americans Center for Financial Education first partnered with The Denver Postnearly 20 years ago to create a life-like Newspaper shop.  Volunteers from …

Safeway Foundation Opens a Miniature Market for Kids: There’s a brand-new shop in Young AmeriTowne in Lakewood: the Safeway Market!  This mini-Safeway provides a real-world lesson in what it takes to operate a grocery store to fifth grade students from across the metro area.

Sponsor Spotlight: Safeway Foundation Opens a Miniature Market for Kids

Janet Redwine Events, Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

There’s a brand-new shop in Young AmeriTowne in Lakewood: the Safeway Market!  This mini-Safeway provides a real-world lesson in what it takes to operate a grocery store to fifth grade students from across the metro area. The Safeway Market debuted on Wednesday, March 27 when students from McGraw Elementary school ran AmeriTowne.  McGraw students joined Todd Broderick, Denver Division President …

Young AmeriTowne On the Road served 226 students last week in our inaugural visit to Colorado Springs!  The program was held at the Discover Goodwill building for a week beginning on March 6.

AmeriTowne goes On the Road to Colorado Springs

Janet Redwine Young AmeriTowne Leave a Comment

Young AmeriTowne On the Road served 226 students last week in our inaugural visit to Colorado Springs!  The program was held at the Discover Goodwill building for a week beginning on March 6.  I sat down with Towne Director Chris O’Reilly to hear his highlights from the trip.  Here’s what he had to say: Question: How was your trip to …

Chris Instructs Young AmeriTowne on the Road

Greeley Trip a Success for AmeriTowne On the Road

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Young AmeriTowne On the Road returned from a successful trip to Greeley, Colorado this week!  In total, 374 students participated in the program, which was located at Aims Community College from February 7 to 20. The amount of growth this year was phenomenal.  Last year, 125 students participated, and this year’s number was nearly triple that. This growth couldn’t have been …

Janus-sign-with-kids

Working Hard to Lead Young AmeriTowne

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Young AmeriTowne 5 Comments

The leader of Young AmeriTowne is the Mayor, an elected official that oversees the Towne’s businesses, judicial system, and laws.  This job is sometimes thankless, often difficult, and always a chance for a 5thgrader to step into a new role as a leader. Mayor Kevin led AmeriTowne when his school, Arrowhead Elementary, participated last month.  In order to become Mayor, …