Albuquerque Public Schools
Financial Literacy Comes to Life at Marie Hughes
Community partners bring real-world learning into classrooms during Financial Literacy Month.
Students at Marie Hughes Elementary School recently explored the value of money, saving and goal-setting through a meaningful partnership with community organizations.
In celebration of Financial Literacy Month, the school welcomed partners from Nusenda Credit Union and the Credit Union Association of New Mexico, bringing real-world learning directly into classrooms. The visit highlighted the power of community-connected instruction, a key practice in the community school model.
A special guest, Nusenda representative and Husky parent Mr. Quezada, spent time reading aloud to students in both English and Spanish. He shared the children’s book A Budget for Bingo by Tori Filas, helping make financial concepts accessible and engaging for young learners.
Through the story, students were introduced to important financial literacy concepts such as budgeting, affordability and the importance of earning and saving money. As they followed the main character's journey toward a goal, students made meaningful connections to their own lives.
Teachers raved about the experience. Ms. Olivas, a fifth-grade teacher, shared that Mr. Quezada built an incredible connection with the students, making the learning both meaningful and engaging. She emphasized how important it is for students to begin developing these skills early, and how impactful it was to see that learning come to life in such an authentic way.
Ms. Roybal, a kindergarten teacher, added, "A huge thank you to Mr. Quezada from Nusenda Credit Union for engaging my students and reading a book related to financial literacy. It's never too early to begin!"
Experiences like this not only strengthen literacy skills but also empower students with practical knowledge they can carry beyond the classroom. With the support of community partners, Marie Hughes Elementary continues to create engaging, relevant learning opportunities that prepare students for the future.
You too can hear from author Tori Filas in a read-a-loud here.
About APS Community Schools
With almost 70 Community Schools across the district, APS and the ABC Community School Partnership are building a network of schools that serve as community hubs. By weaving together rigorous classroom instruction, expanded learning opportunities, integrated support systems, and the voices of families and students in decision-making, these schools create conditions where every child can learn, grow and thrive.