Roosevelt teachers seek community support for AmeriTown financial literacy for fifth graders

Caitlin Schmidt, a fifth-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, told the Ellis County Commission on April 1 that AmeriTown is a five‑year school program (sixth year if not for COVID) that converts a renovated high‑school space in Lenora into a mock town designed to teach financial literacy, civic participation and job skills to fifth graders.

"...we are teaching our kids how to be an adult. How do you balance your money? How do you fill out a check register?" Schmidt said, describing the program's emphasis on money management, civic engagement and workplace skills. She said students prepare through 28 lessons beginning in January and practice check‑register skills, job interviews, and running mock businesses before the field trip.

Schmidt and two colleagues, Erica Holloway and Caitlin Knapp, said the program issues students a debit card for the day, runs a full primary/general election for mayor and judge, assigns jobs through applications and interviews with community volunteers, and culminates with students receiving a bank statement to reconcile against their check registers. The teachers said AmeriTown includes a business skills component and entrepreneurship activities and distributes "employee of the day" awards selected by shop managers.

The teachers asked the commission to help publicize the program and identify additional community volunteers and local funding options. They said the school currently uses a Dane G. Hansen grant to lower the student fee: when the trip began the fee was $40 per student and, with the grant, it is now $20 per student. Schmidt said Roosevelt expects to bring about 125 students next year, which would make the per‑student cost a significant total for families without additional scholarship support.

Commissioners praised the program and suggested inviting local business representatives and government staff to speak with students; Chair Michael Burgess and Commissioner Nathan Leiker referenced past county involvement in student voting exercises. County administrators and commissioners encouraged the teachers to provide budget‑cycle timing so the county can consider local funding or scholarship options.

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Teachers said AmeriTown depends on community volunteers and donations; they requested help broadening volunteer lists and exploring county scholarships or grants to keep student fees low. They provided contact details through the Roosevelt Elementary staff and asked the commission to link them with local businesses and county offices for volunteer and funding support.