Students Learn Fundamental Financial Skills

April 15, 2014

A group of eleventh graders from the Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center, which serves children with severe physical disabilities, recently visited The First National Bank of Long Island’s Roslyn Heights branch to learn fundamental financial literacy skills. The students learned how to open a new bank account and banking conveniences such as the ATM, online banking and safe deposit boxes. They also reviewed important safe guards they should use in order to protect their finances. The highlight of the visit was seeing the bank’s vault and the opportunity to hold the money. Click here to see photos from the trip.

“Ms. Russo and her staff members, Daphne, Melanie, Lisa and Margaret, were accommodating, kind and knowledgeable which made the visit informative and fun,” said Carolyn Phillips, a teacher at Henry Viscardi School who accompanied her class. “It was our best field trip ever and we thank The First National Bank of Long Island employees for all they did to make this experience so wonderful.”

Lorraine Russo, The First National Bank of Long Island Branch Manager, noted she didn’t know who enjoyed the day more, the bank employees or the Viscardi students. “It was truly an amazing day. We all enjoyed spending time with the students and educating them about banking and the broad range of careers a financial institution like ours can offer them.”

“The students were very attentive and inquisitive,” added Daphne Johnson, Assistant Branch Manager, who reviewed the procedures and required documents needed to open a bank account, as well as the features of a checking and saving account.

“It is important that we learn what is needed to open an account, how to balance a checkbook and to keep our money safe,” shared Harout, a student at Henry Viscardi School. “The ATM was really cool and gives you access to your money any time.”

“We learned about the ATM, banking online and the bank drive-thru which all give you easy access to your money,” explained Yocelin. Given the students’ physical disabilities, banking conveniences like these are of particular importance to these future customers.

Mrs. Phillips noted that community experiences such as this visit have a strong impact on the students and broadens their learning.

The Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center is a New York State supported 4201 school that offers parents of children with severe physical disabilities and who often require life-sustaining medical treatment throughout the day, a traditional educational setting option that provides rigorous academics and opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Its specialized, accessible educational setting provides a fully-enriched academic program, a variety of therapies, assistive technology and medical supports to students who may otherwise need to receive instruction in their homes or a hospital.

Founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., who served as disability advisor to eight U.S. Presidents and became one of the world’s leading advocates, The Viscardi Center provides Pre-K through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses. A global leader, it employs more than 300 professionals, including experts in education, human resources and technology.

The First National Bank of Long Island was established in 1927 and is the sole subsidiary of The First of Long Island Corporation. As a full service commercial bank, a broad array of personal and business products & services are available to individuals, professionals and corporate customers. With thirty-seven branch locations on Long Island and in Manhattan, the Bank is scheduled to open two more branches in Oceanside, NY and Manhasset, NY in the summer of 2014.  Known as the Bank “Where Everyone Knows Your Name®”, the Bank’s commitment is to provide the highest level of quality service to their customers. The Corporation trades under the ticker symbol FLIC on NASDAQ.  For more information, visit the Bank’s web site at www.fnbli.com.