North Reading Community EarlyAct Club and Civic Engagement
Posted by Amy Luckiewicz
on Feb 24, 2016
The North Reading Community EarlyAct Club recently completed its learning module on civic engagement. The club, for grades 3-5, meets every other Thursday in Town Hall. Each time we start a new year, I take the kids on a tour of Town Hall after hours. Every year, they are fascinated by the Selectmen’s room. We talk a little about what that room is for and how citizens can petition to make community improvements or voice their opinion.
This year, the kids had a ton of questions, and that gave me an idea. Following the students lead, a date was set up in January for the kids to do a mock Selectmen’s meeting. The students were invited to prepare an idea and suggestion and think of possible questions that may arise in opposition. Before our "hearings" we learned about the roles of our elected officials, how to vote, the job of the Chairperson, and when and where to speak. We practiced manners, speaking clearly, and using eye contact. In late January, the students were ready and the group headed to the Selectmen’s room. The children played the parts of Selectmen, people in the audience, and the Chairperson and I served as a guide for the conversation. I was so impressed with their ideas.
They were really thoughtful and had the best interests of North Reading at heart. We let the scope of what would be considered at a Selectmen’s hearing be a little loose. Among the “approved unanimously” ideas were Jennifer Buscemi’s idea for a larger food pantry and Jane Weaver’s idea to improve the Senior Center. Weaver argued, We just put so much money into our schools, we need to take care of the seniors too. It would be pretty nice to help them and we should think more about our future. Amelia Lynch’s idea for requiring all babysitters in town to be CPR and First Aid certified was tabled for more discussion. Also participating in the event were Jakob, Sofia, Jake, Maddie, David, and Sam.