Accentra Credit Union has teamed with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make the program available to local teachers and students for free.

Banzai is an interactive, online program supplemented by printed workbooks which aligns with state curriculum requirements for personal finance education. In 2010, the Institute for Financial Literacy awarded Banzai the Curriculum of the Year award. It has become the largest program of its kind, servicing more than 5,000 schools in the U.S.

ECFE earns four stars

The Austin Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) School Readiness program was awarded a four-star rating by the Minnesota Department of Human Services in the Parent Aware Initiative. Four major strengths were identified within the Austin ECFE program. These included aligned evaluation from preschool through kindergarten; assessment connecting individual and group curriculum activities; inclusion of all early childhood development domains within our assessment tool; and the inclusion of observation, one-on-one and group data collection.

Semcac Head Start was also notified by the Minnesota Department of Human Services that it earned the four-star rating. The notification letter stated the program’s “commitment to quality early care and education shows, and families and your communities will see you reaching for the stars.”

All of Semcac Head Start’s 15 sites were awarded four-star status, which is valid for two years. Sites are located in Austin, Caledonia, Houston, Kasson, La Crescent, Ostrander, Owatonna, Preston, Rushford, St. Charles, and Winona.

Sumner seeks vendors

Sumner Elementary School is looking for vendors and crafters for a Women’s Expo on Saturday, Nov. 17. Potential venders will get two tables for $25, with $10 for each additional table. Electicity, water and maintenance will be provided. Vendors must provide their own table coverings and will need to donate one item for a raffle. The Expo will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the event is a student fundraiser for playground equipment.