Bismarck, ND - The North Dakota Securities Department is sponsoring Mad About Money theatrical productions in 10 Schools during the week of September 22-26, 2008. The productions will be performed by professional actors with The National Theatre for Children from Minneapolis, MN. Almost 2,000 North Dakota students will have the opportunity to experience this production.
The performances will focus on the concepts of saving and investing does involve some risk, wages minus deductions equal take home pay, don't let advertisers make your decisions for you, and financial choices affect your future. In addition to the performance, teachers and students will receive classroom curriculum that will focus on these concepts for continued classroom discussion and activities.
We are extremely pleased to have the National Theatre involved in our financial education efforts in North Dakota. Their tested methodology teaches money management habits through fun, interactive experience that students enjoy, said Diane Kambeitz, Investor Education Coordinator for the Securities Department. In the past 3 years, we have been in 30 schools and have reached nearly 7,000 students in grades 5-9. The success of this unique teaching tool is that it is entertaining, holds the student's attention, and still teaches them about money at the same time. By bringing the performances into the schools, we are reaching a larger audience of students than any other format. In addition, teachers are extremely pleased with the printed curriculum for students and themselves to continue discussions following the performance in the classroom to sustain the message of the performance. And, a large percentage of these workbooks go home and are shared with parents.
This is the fourth year that the North Dakota Securities Department has sponsored this week-long program in North Dakota schools. Over 7,000 students have experienced this educational experience. Teachers have given Mad About Money the highest marks in the ability of live theatre to increase the student's capacity for retaining the message.
National surveys continue to show that today's youth are receiving failing grades when it comes to personal finance, stated Kambeitz. The key to changing this trend is to introduce financial education in the classroom at an early age, and then to build on this education throughout a student's academic career. We will then begin to see our young people better equipped to take charge of their financial futures - saving, investing and using credit wisely.
The National Theatre for Children is the largest in-school touring company in America and reaches millions of children nationwide each year on important and timely issues such as money management.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
9/22 Bob Callies Elementary, Garrison 8:45 a.m.9/22 Erik Ramstad Middle School, Minot 2:00 p.m.9/23 Jim Hill Middle School, Minot 9:00 a.m.9/23 New Town Middle School 2:15 p.m.9/24 Shiloh Christian School 10:00 a.m.9/24 Christ The King School, Mandan 1:00 p.m.9/25 Ray Public School, Ray 9:00 a.m.9/25 Divide County High School, Crosby 2:30 p.m.9/26 Wachter Middle School, Bismarck 8:45/9:40 & 10:30 a.m.9/26 Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
We hope to have more Mad About Money performances scheduled for the Fall of 2009 in Eastern North Dakota. If your school is interested in scheduling a performance, contact Diane Kambeitz, North Dakota Securities Department, 1-800-297-5124 or 701-328-4698 (Bismarck local).