By: Lena

Lena @ 11:03 am

Michigan First recently opened a student branch in University Preparatory Academy Elementary School. The Detroit school is the newest student branch participating in the Credit Union’s program. The Michigan First student branches allow students to make deposits and open new accounts in their schools. Michigan First, which has been operating student branches since 2000, currently has 11 student branches in elementary and middle schools in the metro area. The Credit Union also has a student-run branch in Southfield-Lathrup High School where students are paid employees of Michigan First.

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By: Lena

Lena @ 5:30 pm

In its continuing effort to support the schools in their service areas, Michigan First recently donated 52 computer monitors to Pattengill Elementary School in Berkley. The monitors will be used in the school’s media center, computer lab and in the classrooms. “The Pattengill Elementary family is so grateful to Michigan First Credit Union for its generous donation of computer monitors,” said Principal Daryl Robbins. “We thank the Credit Union for reaching out to our community at large and partnering with our school.”

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By: Lena

Lena @ 2:42 pm

Crescent Academy started out with a bang on October 5th, 2007 opening 38 new accounts with over $600.00 in deposits. Twelve student employees will maintain the branch which will be located in the Library. The branch will be open every Friday morning.

Michigan First Credit Union and Southfield Public Schools have partnered to provide deposit transactions in the following student-run branches at:

Morris Adler Elementary (19100 Filmore Street, Southfield, MI)

Adler Stevenson Elementary (27777 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Alice Birney Middle School (27225 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI)

Brace Lederle School (18575 W. 9 Mile, Southfield, MI)

Crescent Academy (17570 West 12 Mile, Southfield, MI)

Laurus Academy (24590 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Leonhard Elementary (20900 Independence, Southfield, MI)

Levey Middle School (25300 W. 9 Mile, Southfield, MI)

MacArthur Academy University (24501 Frederick, Southfield, MI)

McIntyre Elementary (19600 Saratoga, Southfield, MI)

Stevenson Elementary (27777 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

Southfield High School (24675 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI)

University Prep (600 Antoinette, Detroit, MI)

Southfield-Lathrup High School (19301 West 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI)

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By: Lena

Lena @ 12:37 pm

Michigan First Credit Union recently helped seven Southfield elementary and middle schools celebrate their achievements in operating their student branches, with a pancake breakfast and awards ceremony. The program is held annually at the end of the school year to recognize the students’ accomplishments and to congratulate them on the money they deposited into their savings accounts through the program. It is also a time to recognize the school that opened the most new accounts and had the most deposit dollars.

This year, Stevenson Elementary School won the award for the most new accounts opened as well as the most in deposit dollars, as they recruited 54 new accounts and collected over $16,000 in student deposits. Overall, the seven schools generated over $39,000 in student deposits with an additional $2,500 from the 160 new accounts that were opened.

Prior to the breakfast and awards ceremony, students were challenged to memorize the Mission, Vision and Core Value Statement of the Credit Union. This year’s challenge winner was Jennifer Wardell of Leonhard Elementary, who recited the statement in front of all the attendees. Jennifer was presented with a Beanie Baby and gift card. After the breakfast, students received a tour of the offices in the Michigan First headquarters.

Students participating in the program hold various positions including Branch Managers, Assistant Managers, Tellers, Computer Operators, Bookkeepers and Greeters. This year, over 140 students applied for these positions. On school banking days, which are supervised by Michigan First employees, students wear Michigan First logo shirts and name badges.

The schools and principals participating in the Credit Union’s student-run branch program include Alder Elementary, Janet Jones, Principal; Birney Middle School, Sterling Russell, Principal; Brace-Lederle K-8 School, Andrea Hamlar, Principal; Laurus Academy, Raul Calderon, Principal; Leonhard Elementary, Vicki Perry, Principal; McIntyre Elementary, Greg Kubasiewicz, Principal; and Stevenson Elementary, Dr. B. K. Hentrel, Principal.

Since the Michigan First Student Branch Program began in 2001, it has had great success. Michael Poulos, President/CEO of Michigan First states, “The success of the program is due to building solid educational partnerships and assisting schools in our field of membership with educating young people about the benefits of credit union membership and how to save and manage money.”

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By: Lena

Lena @ 1:58 pm

In March 2007, Michigan First Credit Union featured the artwork of 4th grade students from Helen McIntyre Elementary School at its Evergreen Branch in Lathrup Village. The idea for the student’s exhibition, titled “Jazz, Showing its Roots: Tribute to Ed Bradley and Jacob Lawrence,” was spearheaded by Delores A. Flagg, Art Teacher/Coordinator, McIntyre Elementary School. According to Flagg, the purpose of the project was to give students a chance to study and understand the history of African American art, its influences, and the connection to their own lives. “In celebration of Black History Month, McIntyre Elementary School students created artwork to give tribute to Ed Bradley, the late African American journalist and 60 Minutes and CBS News correspondent, and to Jacob Lawrence, renowned African American artist and humanitarian,” explained Flagg. Flagg said the motivation for the exhibit was Ed Bradley, who loved the visual and performing arts. “He believed the arts enhanced every part of our lives,” said Flagg. “Through images, shapes, colors and the colorful paintings of Jacob Lawrence, the students created their own expressions of jazz musicians, their lives and music.” 

Most recently, McIntyre Elementary School had the opportunity to showcase its exhibit at the Detroit Opera House Black History Month celebration of the Jacob Lawrence Project and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, “Colorography.” “We took pride in being able to showcase our student’s artwork beyond the boundaries of the classroom to the community,” said Flagg.

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