Web Conferences to develop awareness of the Ministry of Education’s Financial Literacy Initiative

1. A Sound Investment: Financial literacy education in Ontario Schools Web Conferences to develop awareness of the Ministry of Education’s Financial Literacy Initiative

2. Practical Strategies for Elementary School Principals Presented By Mary Linton-Brady, Curtis Tye, Mary Cordeiro

3. Reflection Please feel free to comment, using the CHAT FEATURE on the following questions while you are waiting for the conference to begin • What do you know about financial literacy? • What role should schools play in developing financial literacy?

4. Please standby - the session will begin shortly While you are waiting for the conference to begin, please use the CHAT FUNCTION to: • Introduce yourself and your team • Identify your role and the roles of team members • Describe why you registered for this web conference

5. Planning Team • Mary Linton Brady, OPC • Brigitte Clément, ADFO • Mary Cordeiro, CPCO • Lily Harfouche, ADFO • Curtis Tye, OPC

6. Our Reality? Why not mom? You can use your credit card!

7. Background • A Federal Task Force on Financial Literacy was appointed in June 2009, with a mandate to make recommendations to the Minister of Finance on a national strategy to improve financial literacy in Canada • The report is entitled, Canadians and Their Money (December 2010) http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2011/fin/F2-198-2011-eng.pdf

8. Information and Statistics Source: Canadians and Their Money, page 14

9. Financial Literacy in Ontario “Having the knowledge and skills needed to make responsible economic and financial decisions with competence and confidence.” A Sound Investment: Financial Literacy in Ontario Schools (p. 7) http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/Financial_Literacy_Eng.pdf

10. Vision “Ontario students will have the skills and knowledge to take responsibility for managing personal financial well-being with confidence, competence, and a compassionate awareness of the world around them” A Sound Investment: Financial Literacy Education in Ontario Schools (page 4)

11. Recommendations Six key areas of recommendation are identified: • Core knowledge, skills, and competencies for students • Support for teachers and other educators A Sound Investment: Financial Literacy Education in Ontario Schools http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/Financial_Literacy_Eng.pdf

12. Recommendations • Engagement of government, school boards, schools, students, parents, families and the broader community • Leadership and Accountability • The importance of equity • Optimizing technology http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/Financial_Literacy_Eng.pdf

13. Connections to Ministry Initiatives • Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (K-6) • Student Success Strategy (7-12) • School Effectiveness Framework (SEF); Board Improvement Plan (BIP) • Ontario (Catholic) Leadership Framework (OLF/OCLF); Core Leadership Capacities • Ontario Equity and Inclusive Education

14. Connections to Ministry Initiatives • Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools • Student Engagement/ Student Voice • Parent/Community Engagement • Character Education • Education for All (Special Needs) • ELL Education • Aboriginal Education, etc……

15. Questions • How do we highlight Financial Literacy education in curriculum areas? • Which supports/resources are available to assist principals with this work?

16. Financial Literacy – A part of the Ontario Curriculum • Elementary and Secondary Scope and Sequence documents (www.edu.gov.on.ca) Principals are co-learners and support teachers as they… • Use Scope and Sequence to open the discussion about expectations related to financial literacy in specific grades • Identify opportunities to promote and integrate the development of financial literacy skills and knowledge in each grade • View Edugains materials with staff as appropriate

17. Sample Expectation Related to Financial Literacy Grade 4 Language • use overt and implied messages to draw inferences and construct meaning in media texts (e.g., overt message on packaging for a video game: In this adventure game, characters take big risks and perform amazing deeds; implied message: If you buy this game, you can share in the excitement and be more like the daring characters)

18. Sample Expectation Related to Financial Literacy Grade 6 Health and Physical Education (Interim Edition 2010) • C2. Making Healthy Choices • C2.1 apply their knowledge of medical, emotional, practical, and societal factors that influence eating habits and food choices (e.g., … media influences, … cost) to develop personal guidelines for healthier eating [CT] • Teacher prompt: “How do you handle emotional and social factors that could lead to poor eating habits or choices?”

19. Sample Expectation Related to Financial Literacy Grade 8 Arts • B3.2 identify and describe a wide variety of ways in which drama and theatre make or have made contributions to social, cultural, and economic life in a variety of times and places (e.g., … by providing jobs; by attracting tourists; by communicating and teaching about a range of topics; … by raising awareness of … social/global issues) • Teacher prompt: “How do theatre performances help the economy?”

20. Connecting Financial Literacy Into school activities… • …. • …. • …. Into real-life experiences… • …. • …. • ….

21. Supports and Resources • On the Ministry website you will find… http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/surveyLiteracy.html • Elementary and Secondary Scope and Sequence documents • Frequently Asked Questions • A Sound Investment: Financial Literacy Education in Ontario Schools • Link to EDUGains website http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/index.html • Initial sample of Elementary and Secondary videos

22. Key Points for Staff • Financial Literacy is a school-wide initiative • Introduce concept at staff meetings and professional development sessions • Brainstorm ideas for implementation through existing school structures (e.g., TLCP/Inquiry Model/PLC and Grade Team meetings) • Integrate into questions for visitors to school • Encourage staff to incorporate into class projects and assignments

23. Messages for Parents and School Council • Ministry documents and applicable links placed on school web site • Financial Literacy information in school newsletters with camera-ready examples of student work • Encourage parent dialogues whenever possible • Invitation to parent community to discuss Financial Literacy (i.e., Financial Literacy, Curriculum and Orientation Nights)

24. Community Partnerships • Develop a school committee on Financial Literacy • Student Council Finance Committee • Nutrition Program – Healthy Eating develop utilize financial/budget information • Connection with local businesses • Career Day to include individuals from the financial sector

25. Outside Partnerships Community partnerships – how do principals get others involved? • Local financial business partnerships (e.g., local banks, financial organizations) • School Board budget department (i.e., central office) • Local businesses and those that do business with school • Family connections to business (i.e., own family business) • Connect to school financial activities (e.g., fundraising events) • Class visits to local grocery stores • Prepare specific questions for guest speakers (e.g., authors)

26. Next Steps • Survey • Resource List • What is one action you intend to pursue as a result of this session?