Brookdale Elementary School students have plenty of subjects to learn, like math, science, social studies and even making bank deposits.

In addition to their other academic responsibilities, students at Brookdale will now have to balance their checkbooks, thanks to the opening of Brookdale National Bank at the school.

The school is partnering with Bank of America to give students the opportunity to open up a real savings account complete with their own debit card. The school is even matching deposits of up to $25 for the first 75 students to sign up.

"I don't know any other bank around here that will do that," said Brookdale Parenting Coordinator Judith Walls.

Brookdale National Bank is being run by five student tellers who interviewed for the job. The original 25 candidates for the job had to build their own resumes with help from teachers and then were interviewed by a Bank of America representative. The representative looked for strong math skills and asked the students questions to ensure they had good character.

Roneisha Hart, Tajne Jeffries, Alicia Glover, Niasia Craig and Shania Coleman survived the interview phase and all are excited about the job and the learning experience.

"It will help me with my math and to handle my money," Glover said.

Craig said she's looking forward to learning to use money wisely in the future.

The tellers will be paid $15 a week for working an hour a day at the bank.

Parents of students wishing to deposit money into an account will have to bring two forms of ide.jpgication to the school and fill out an application. The students will then fill out actual deposit slips with their account numbers to complete a transaction.

"It's going to be a hands-on opportunity for the children to apply real-world skills and strategies they will need to be productive in society," said Brookdale Principal Dr. Casandra Jenkins.

Jenkins believes the presence of the bank at the school touches on areas beyond math. She said it will help teach financial prudence and tellers will learn to work with customers.

Jenkins said she wants to expand opportunities for children to learn about finances by looking at stocks, bonds and investments.

The Brookdale National Bank is funded by a grant from the S.C. Department of Education.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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