The School Caisse program: So much more than a little envelope

When we talk about the School Caisse, which is a financial literacy program, we typically get two reactions.

 

The first is “The little envelope thing!” Yes, the little envelope that so many people remember is part of the program’s history. But is that really all the School Caisse is? Definitely not! We’ll come back to this.

 

The second thing we hear is “It’s a way for Desjardins to recruit new members.” It’s a common assumption, and it may seem like that at first glance. After all, the program is run by a financial cooperative. But that’s not what it’s all about.

 

A financial literacy program

The School Caisse program isn’t about recruiting members. It’s about educating youth. The program is designed to give kids a solid foundation in financial literacy right from elementary school. It follows a structured program. When teachers first learn about the program, they’re often impressed by the quality and quantity of free, classroom-ready resources.

 

“So what’s the little envelope for then?”

 

It’s for one of the program’s educational activities.

 

It’s easy to think that financial literacy is all about theory, but studies show that if you put what you’ve just learned into practice, you’re more likely to remember it.

 

That’s what the envelope is for: it gives kids their first hands-on experience with saving. By putting a little money aside regularly, they learn that small actions repeated over time can grow into something bigger.

 

They learn to wait, make choices and plan—habits that help them learn self-control and build confidence. In other words, when you put financial concepts into practice in real life—whether using a piggy bank or an account—they become clearer and more meaningful. They have a lasting effect on children’s attitudes and learning. That is the School Caisse’s primary goal.

 

Behind our program, there are passionate professionals: teachers, educational consultants, people who believe that understanding the value of money early on is life-changing. We’ve all looked at our finances at some point and thought “I wish I’d known that before!”

 

Take the simple example of compound interest. (And watch this video, which explains the concept with a squirrel and a magical tree!) If you’d known at 18 that you could have invested the $225 you wanted to spend on a fluorescent orange snowboard and then watched it snowball into a much bigger amount, you might have made different choices.

 

That’s exactly what the School Caisse is all about: giving kids the tools they need to make informed choices.

 

And where can you find those tools? There are two places.

 

The School Caisse website

First, there’s the website for parents and teachers.

 

Parents will find tips for connecting financial literacy concepts to everyday life, ideas for activities to do at home, resources to support their children’s learning, and much more.

 

> Explore the Parent section of the School Caisse website

 

Teachers will find a world of possibilities. Looking for classroom-ready teaching materials that cover concepts in subjects like English, French and Math (plus Culture and Citizenship in Québec for Quebec)? Well, here you go!

 

All of the School Caisse’s resources have been developed specifically for elementary school teachers in Quebec and Ontario. But there’s nothing to prevent teachers in other provinces and territories from using the resources if they fit their classroom.

 

The people who design these resources have a background in education. So the resources have been created with teachers in mind. They include:

 

• Interactive activities
• Educational games
• Educational videos
• Workshops
• Simulation tools
• Task cards
• Visual guides
• Printable play money and activities
• Learning situations

 

Be sure to check it out! You’ll be glad you did.

> Explore the School Caisse’s educational resources and videos

> Try out the tools offered by the School Caisse

 

In addition to the website, the School Caisse now has its own app. But the app is for a very different audience!

 

The School Caisse app

The School Caisse app enables kids from across Canada to explore financial literacy activities on their own. They can play games, watch videos and try out practical, everyday tools.

 

Megan can head off on an adventure in the jungle to learn the difference between wants and needs and discover the value of money. Liviu can use Calculo to find out how much money he needs to save to buy the gift of his dreams on his birthday. Victor can watch a video and learn to think twice when he sees an ad. And Sumi can come back to the app every month to tackle a new challenge! All in one convenient place!

 

So back to that little envelope ...

The School Caisse is so much more than the little envelope. It’s a program designed for kids, to give them a head start in a world where understanding money is a must. Whether at school, at home or on the app, kids can learn in a fun, easy way at their own pace. And a few years from now, if those kids make informed choices thanks to something they learned early in life, then mission accomplished!

 

Helping children learn lifelong financial habits can make a real difference—and that’s what the School Caisse is all about!