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