Connery Elementary pilot with Brotherhood Credit Union approved to bring FDIC Money Smart curriculum to Lynn

The Lynn school committee reviewed and approved a Connery Elementary financial literacy pilot using the FDIC’s Money Smart curriculum in partnership with Brotherhood Credit Union.

Connery staff described a school initiative called “Every mickle, mickle, muckle” that began with classroom read-alouds and weekly "Banking Fridays," where students deposit coins into class piggy banks as an introduction to saving. The proposed pilot will start with fifth grade this year and the district intends to expand it to all elementary grades in subsequent years if the pilot proves successful.

Under the proposal, Brotherhood Credit Union staff would teach four 30-minute, age-appropriate Money Smart modules focusing on understanding money, distinguishing needs and wants, budgeting and goal setting, and banking basics (deposits, withdrawals, and interest). Lessons would be integrated into existing math instruction, linked to Massachusetts math standards, and culminate in family-facing projects such as digital savings trackers, AI storybooks, chatbots or infographics to showcase student learning.

The program includes teacher and family engagement components, guest readers from the credit union, and measurement via pre/post student reflections, class savings data, teacher feedback, and family participation at a culminating showcase. Connery staff invited committee members to visit and requested district support to scale if successful.

The curriculum subcommittee moved the item to the full committee; the full committee subsequently approved acceptance and forwarding as part of the curriculum subcommittee report. Committee members praised the community partnership and asked about vetting the credit union and teacher involvement; presenters said Brotherhood has an established relationship with Connery and that credit-union staff will deliver lessons while teachers support classroom integration.