GREAT BAY--Parents attending the inaugural Back-to-School Expo on Sunday, August 9, at the Aleeze Convention Center will have an opportunity to do more than prepare their children academically for the new school year. They will also be able to take a practical step toward their children’s financial future by opening a student bank account on the spot. The event is being organised by Xtratight Entertainment under the leadership of Bertaux Fleming.
Windward Islands Bank (WIB) will be among the institutions participating in the Expo, scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Aleeze Convention Center. The bank will be equipped to open student accounts during the event, giving parents and legal guardians an opportunity to introduce children to banking, saving and responsible money management before the school year begins.
Families interested in opening an account are encouraged to arrive with the required documentation for both the student and the parent or legal guardian.
According to WIB, the required documents include valid identification, such as a passport, driver’s licence or identification card; verification of address, such as a utility bill or excerpt from the Civil Registry; and income confirmation, which may include a payslip, job letter or other proof of income. Parents and legal guardians should ensure that they have the necessary documents with them to facilitate the account-opening process at the Expo.
Organisers said the inclusion of banking services reflects the wider purpose of the Back-to-School Expo, which is designed to address the many areas that influence a child’s development and readiness for school.
As the start of the new academic year approaches, families across St. Maarten are preparing for challenges that extend far beyond purchasing school supplies. Rising household costs, academic expectations, concerns about children’s mental well-being and the growing influence of technology have added new pressures to an already demanding back-to-school season.
The Expo aims to ease some of that burden by bringing education professionals, healthcare providers, financial institutions, government agencies, businesses and community organisations together under one roof.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
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“Preparing children for school today goes far beyond buying notebooks and uniforms,” said Bertaux Fleming, Managing Director of Xtratight Entertainment. “Families are looking for information, support and practical solutions. This Expo is designed to connect them with the people and services that can make a real difference before the school year begins.”
Organisers said the opportunity to open a student bank account fits directly into that objective. Establishing an account at a young age can provide parents with an opening to begin conversations about saving, spending, budgeting and developing responsible financial habits.
Rather than treating financial education as something that begins when a young person starts working, parents can use a student account to introduce those lessons while their children are still in school.
The Expo will also feature exhibitors offering school supplies, uniforms, tutoring services, extracurricular programs and educational resources. One of the event’s main features will be direct access to professionals who can address some of the challenges confronting students and families.
Throughout the day, keynote speakers and panel discussions will examine academic pressure, mental health, bullying, social media, peer influence, family communication and the development of positive habits that support student success.
Education professionals, social workers, healthcare specialists and community leaders will provide practical guidance to parents and students on navigating modern school life.
Families will also have access to services extending beyond the classroom. Healthcare professionals will provide screenings, while psychology professionals will be available to offer guidance to parents and students experiencing communication challenges or difficulties within the home.
The program will also include an address by Minister of Education Melissa Gumbs, who is expected to outline the ministry’s vision for the upcoming academic year and its education priorities for St. Maarten.
“When families are supported, students are better prepared to succeed,” Fleming said. “Our hope is that parents leave feeling more confident, more informed and better connected to the resources that already exist within our community.”
Organisers are encouraging parents who intend to take advantage of WIB’s student account service to prepare the required documents in advance and bring them to the Expo on Sunday.
The Back-to-School Expo will be held Sunday, August 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Aleeze Convention Center. Admission is free and open to the public.
