Letter to Families

Dear Families,

We have started a philanthropy unit called “You Can Bank on Me.” This unit encourages students to think about choices people make with their own money. We will learn the differences between spending, saving and donating. Our focus will be on the benefits of philanthropy (giving or sharing time, talent or treasure for the common good).

One of our projects involves collecting small change to donate to a special cause. We want the children to make a choice with their own money. They may use some money from their own piggy banks or earn some money by doing some extra jobs. This is not meant to be a major donation, but something from the hearts and generosity of the students. Please do not send your child door to door, as I do not wish for or want major donations. Spend time with your child talking about where they can get some small change for this project. The money that our class gathers until the date of _____________ will be collected in one large classroom bank. We will sort and count the money, and the class will use a decision-making model to come to a consensus as to how it will be donated. Feel free to talk to your child about your favorite charity.

At the end of this unit each child will come home with a “handmade” bank.

Please talk with your child about the following vocabulary words and concepts:
Philanthropy: giving or sharing of time, talent or treasure for the common good.
Spend: using money for immediate needs or wants.
Save: keeping for future needs or wants.
Donate: to make a gift of money, time or talent.
Community: a group of people that work, live or gather together for a purpose.
Consensus: when a group comes to an agreement.
Charity: Money or help given to aid the needy.

Also, please watch for a “Decision-Making Model” that will be coming home with your child in the next few days. Ask your child to explain the process and tell you what our consensus was.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Sincerely,