Jeter-Watson Elementary School fifth grader Adalynn Gibson is the Alleghany Highlands Public School Division’s first winner in the statewide Reading Makes Cents financial literacy program. Pictured from left Jeter-Watson librarian Barbara Childs, Gibson, and Principal Cynthia Morgan. (AHPS Photo)Â

Reading Makes Cents Pays Off for Jeter-Watson Fifth Grader   Covington, VA (Sept. 9, 2024) - Adalynn Gibson, a fifth grader at Jeter-Watson Elementary School, has become the first winner from Alleghany Highlands Public Schools in Reading Makes Cents, a statewide reading program for students in kindergarten through eighth grade focusing on financial concepts.  Gibson is one of 14 students in Virginia who will have $529 deposited in their Invest529 savings account. The winners are drawn at random after reading five books available at ReadingMakesCents.com. Students are entered into the drawing after submitting a completed form certified by a parent or guardian. The Virginia529 and the Virginia Council on Economic Education are sponsors of the program. Virginia529 has worked for over 25 years to help families plan and save for future education expenses through tax-advantaged savings programs.  Through its partnership with the Virginia Council on Economic Education, Virginia529 works to sharpen students’ literacy skills, while helping families establish long-range education goals and save in advance for education at colleges, universities, community colleges, trade schools, or technical programs. The $529 deposited in Gibson’s Invest529 account will continue to grow until she can start college or another post-secondary learning opportunity. Barbara Childs, the librarian at Jeter-Watson, said Reading Makes Cents provides the school with books that teach students valuable financial concepts, such as working to earn money, prioritizing wants, and being good decision-makers.  The Virginia Council on Economic Education provides accompanying lesson plans and activities that librarians use to solidify the concepts and further engage their students. “These are valuable life lessons that will benefit students as they grow up,” Childs said. Reading Makes Cents has more than 3,000 students participate each year. The program was founded in 2014. For more information on Virginia529 savings plans, visit www.virginia529.com. To learn more about Reading Makes Cents, visit www.readingmakescents.com. With approximately 2,700 students, AHPS was created when Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center merged in July 2022. The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington. AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us. .

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