The Bulldog Credit Union - - Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School’s very own banking institution - - is back in business.
The credit union, located in the Jr./Sr. High School, officially opened its doors for the 2018-19 school year on October 2.
Established in 2015 in partnership with the Rome Teachers Federal Credit Union, the Bulldog Credit Union is staffed and operated by Westmoreland students, who work alongside an employee from the Rome Teachers Federal Credit Union. Students and staff members can open a savings or checking account and make deposits and withdrawals at the student-run branch - - just like at any other banking institution outside of school. All transactions and accounts are kept completely confidential and a system of checks and balances and internal controls safeguard personal information. 
According to Mrs. Weissenberger, Jr./Sr. High School business teacher, the main purpose of the student-run Bulldog Credit Union is to teach wise savings habits at an early age, as well as supplement math, computer and social abilities.
“Students are taught real-life skills,” Mrs. Weissenberger, who oversees the Bulldog Credit Union as part of the Jr./Sr. High School’s Senior College and Career Enrichment Program, said. “The students who work at the credit union also learn life-long employment skills such as good organization, human relations, teamwork and how to responsibly handle cash.”
Students who work at the credit union do so on a voluntary basis and earn community service credit, which is required to graduate. Senior Danielle Flack is a three-year employee and, for the first time, is the branch manager. Her responsibilities include overseeing and scheduling fellow student employees.
She says she is gaining valuable experience.
“The employee from the Rome Teachers Federal Credit Union is always so polite and nice, and are always there to help,” Danielle, who plans on becoming an elementary teacher, said. “This experience will make it easier to get a job during and after college.”
Senior Mary Beth Kelsey, who is also in her third year working at the credit union, embraces the responsibilities of the job.
“We are counting cash all of the time,” Mary Beth, who plans on studying performing arts in college, said. “Not only do we have to make sure the drawer is correct, but we have to make sure what’s in the drawer reconciles with what’s on the computer.”
“I think it’s important because a lot of students don’t necessarily learn about checks or how to deal with money,” Mary Beth added. “The credit union allows students to get a feel for what they will be doing when they get out of school, graduate, have a job and have to handle their own money and accounts.”
The Bulldog Credit Union is open every Tuesday and Friday from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. when school is in session. Any student age 13 and older with parent permission and staff member can open an account. Each credit union member receives a membership card, transaction register to track their balance and a small packet to keep their account items organized.
The credit union’s motto is, “Keeping it Real… Real World – Real Life – Real Education” to empower students to help each other develop sound financial awareness.