bringing civic education to life
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Bringing Civic Education to Life
A School-Community Parternship That
Works
Presented to the Massachusetts Town Clerks’ Association
January 29, 2010by
René M. LafayetteSocial Studies Teacher - Northbridge High
School
Bringing Civic Education to Life:A School-Community Partnership
That Works
•Q: What is an active citizen?
•Q: What is an active citizen?
•A: Someone who is aware of the issues facing their community, state and nation.
•A: Someone who can form opinions on the issues based on facts.
•A: Someone who can then express those opinions and direct them to the appropriate government official or office... to achieve their desired result(s).
Bringing Civic Education to Life
•In 2006, Massachusetts passed a statute permitting minors, aged 16 and 17, to serve as election officials.
•That statute is Chapter 299 of the Acts of 2006.
November 4, 2008Presidential ElectionState Legislative Races Text
CASE STUDY:
•In 2008, for the first time in Northbridge’s history, students served in this capacity - 14 students, all enrolled in Citizenship In Action were appointed by the Board of Selectmen to serve in this role.
Pre-election day poll worker training session. Veterans and students alike meet and learn from Town Clerk Doreen Cedrone in Northbridge Town Hall.
•Voter turnout was high and so were the spirits of the 14 young men and women. They learned the real meaning of being active citizens.
•They served as election workers from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Election Day 2008Voters casting ballots in
Northbridge High School’s Veterans Memorial
Fieldhouse.
Dorreen Cedrone, Northbridge Town Clerk (left) reviewing procedures with student poll worker Destine Clemente.
In scenes repeated throughout the Commonwealth, voters streamed to the polls
to vote, deciding the electors for the Presidential candidate of their choice.
A New Voter - a Life Long Commitmen
t•Matthew Perry, President
of Northbridge High School Class of 2009 poses with ballot.
•A Citizenship In Action student, he and friends followed the elections results Election Night.
Two Citizenship In Action Students, Matthew Haas (l) and Matthew Perry (r) pre-election.
•Building on the successful use of students in November 2008’s election, Citizenship In Action students have been appointed to serve again in the May 2009 town election. •Students also worked in the December 8, 2009 Special Senate Primary Election and the January 19, 2010 Special Election to fill the vacant Senate seat.
Senate Ballot Details from January 19, 2010 Election
CIA Students Lynn Ekberg (l) and Megan Quinn (r) direct voters to precints during
Special Senate Election of January 19, 2010.
•This “experiment” has worked well thanks to open and clear communications between Town officials and my class.
The role of the media, through their writing about the students
service has also been a contributing positive factor.
•This presentation, Bringing Civic Education to Life: A School-Community Partnership That Works was made possible thanks to the support and participation of several persons:
•My students in Citizenship In Action, past and present who inspire me to do my best and encourage them to make a difference;
•The elected and appointed officials of Northbridge including the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and Clerk.
•The administration of the Northbridge School Department including Superintendent Susan M. Gorky, and NHS Principal Michael P. Gauthier; and
•The citizens of Northbridge, Massachusetts for giving me the trust and privilege of teaching their children.
•Town clerks provide an important link between the residents and their government....Celebrate your history and your future.
•Build partnerships with your local schools, especially high schools to prepare a new generation of leaders for the future.
•My role is not only to tend the lamp of knowledge, but to keep the torch of freedom burning; to guide the future leaders of the Republic!
Bringing Civic Education to Life...
Thank You MassachusettsTown Clerks’ Association!Northbridge High School’s
Motto Sums Up Our
Outlook...“Together...We Can!”
For a copy of the accompanying paper
Bringing Civic Education to Life: A School-Community Partnership That
Worksplease email me at
rmlafayette@gmail.com
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