Book collection and book reading awarded by agency to Zippel Elementary School

Augusta — Zippel Elementary School, located in Presque Isle, was recently awarded the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) Invest in ME Reads Giveaway, which includes the complete Money on the Bookshelf collection, a variety of family resources, and a special visit from Maribeth Boelts, author of Those Shoes. Boelts and FAME staff visited the school on April 9, 2024.

Created by FAME in partnership with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Invest in ME Reads is a statewide program designed to support family financial education by empowering families to engage in conversations about future goals, saving money, and the value of choice. Unlike many financial education programs that focus on high school students, Invest in ME Reads engages children and their families early in elementary school to help them begin to learn about money and financial decision making. FAME launched the program in 2020 and it now serves all Maine second through fifth grade students. Students receive a collection of educational resources, including free books that introduce topics such as saving, giving, and delayed gratification. Families also receive materials to use at home, including a parent guide, information to support college savings, and special content to encourage them to visit FAMEmaine.com/elementary, which includes resources, activities, and tips for parents at home.

“Our students were excited to meet Maribeth Boelts”, said Zippel Elementary Principal Christopher Hallett. “We enjoyed hearing Maribeth share her new book, as well as what inspired her to become a writer. Invest in ME Reads is a wonderful program, and we are thrilled to be recipients of the school giveaway.”

The Invest in ME Reads program helps to support Maine’s statewide goal to produce an educated and skilled workforce. For many Mainers, a lack of financial capability can be a significant barrier to pursuing education and training after high school, which in turn can have an impact on an individual’s ability to seek employment and earnings, ultimately, the strength of Maine’s economy.

“At FAME, we recognize that financial capability is a key ingredient for lifelong success, and we want to do our part by providing resources that will support financial education – even as early as elementary school,” said FAME Director of Education Martha Johnston. “Schools across Maine have embraced the program.”

For more information about how FAME can support your family’s financial goals, please visit FAMEmaine.com/build.

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) is a quasi-independent state agency celebrating its fortieth anniversary that provides innovative financial solutions to help Maine citizens pursue business and educational opportunities. FAME helps to lead the creation of good paying jobs for Maine citizens by working at the nexus between economic and workforce development. For more information, please visit FAMEmaine.com.