FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 21, 2016
****MEDIA ADVISORY****
Junior Achievement and San Diego Unified School District announce new historic partnership to impact 7,000 students this year
Collaboration brings every 10th grader to Mission Fed JA Finance Park to teach them how to plan for career and financial success after high school
SAN DIEGO—On Tuesday, October 25 Junior Achievement and San Diego Unified School District will host a press conference to announce a new partnership to impact 7,000 students this school year. The collaboration will merge JA’s mission of educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy with the District’s commitment to prepare today’s students to compete in the global economy.
The partnership brings every 10th grade student in the District to Mission Fed JA Finance Park.
The program helps students decide what happens after high school as they plan for education, career and financial success. When students come to the Park, they receive a “life situation” and income based upon a real San Diego job they choose in the classroom. Students must then apply for a home loan, purchase a car, shop for groceries, make investments, save for the future, all while balancing a monthly budget. At the end of the day, students connect what they are learning in school to the real world of adult responsibilities.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 25
TIME: 10:30 A.M. – 11.30 A.M.
WHERE: Junior Achievement of San Diego County, 4756 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego, CA 92120, (MAP)
WHO:
Superintendent Cindy Marten, San Diego Unified School District
Genevieve Clark, San Diego Unified School District
10th Grade Students, Kearny High
Marla Black, President and CEO, Junior Achievement
Martha Phillips, Career Center, Mission Fed JA Finance Park
KEY QUOTES:
Superintendent Cindy Marten, San Diego Unified School District: "Our partnership with Junior Achievement is about so much more than simply helping our students achieve financial literacy. Together, we are unlocking the genius in every student and helping each girl and boy discover what career path may one day match her or his skills, interests and abilities. I’m confident the lessons our students learn through Junior Achievement in the 10th grade will benefit them for a lifetime.”
Marla Black, President and CEO at Junior Achievement of San Diego County: “We built Finance Park to prepare students for what happens after high school. When young adults learn how to manage personal finances, explore various career paths and plan for their future, they will reach their full potential and dream for a brighter future.”
VISUALS: After the press conference, media is invited to tour Mission Fed JA Finance Park and interview students from Kearny High School about their experience and challenges to meet a monthly budget.
STATS:
• Nearly 60 percent of today’s teens don’t think they will be ready to financially support themselves by the time they turn 24, according to a 2014 survey conducted by Junior Achievement USA and Allstate Foundation.
• Did you know California received an “F” grade in teaching students about financial literacy? According to 2015 study by the Center for Financial Literacy, California is one of eleven states that have few requirements, or none at all, for personal finance education in our high school.
• Nearly half of all teens don’t know how to create a simple budget, according to a 2014 survey conducted by Junior Achievement USA and Allstate Foundation.
CONTACTS: Kristi Zimsky Andrew Sharp
PR Manager Chief Public Information Office
Junior Achievement San Diego Unified School District
kzimsky@jasandiego.org asharp@sandi.net
(619) 682-5155 (619) 252-6848
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