Community Corner

Students from Northeast, Skinner Road Schools Learn About Government

And they encounter a few surprises in the process.

Third-grade students from Skinner Road and Northeast elementary schools recently had a chance to try their hands at government.

On one occasion, they pulled a fast one on the local Board of Education and on the other, they had a surprise visit from the governor.

At Skinner Road, Mayor Jason McCoy  sponsored a mock Town Council meeting with students. At the mock meeting, 13 students were chosen to lead a discussion that drafted a proposed motion authorizing the Board of Education to close school on hot weather days that exceed 95 degrees.
 
“This is a great opportunity for kids to learn through hands-on participation about what our government does and how it works,” McCoy said. “Activities like these allow kids to get out of the classroom to explore and learn first-hand about history and civics. It’s always nice to see children having fun while learning, and they will most likely walk away with an unforgettable experience.”
 
The event was part of a scavenger hunt modeled after The Amazing Race. It provided an opportunity for third-graders to learn about town history and government. The scavenger hunt took place around downtown Rockville, where groups of four-to-five students explored the area with a chaperone to answer questions and complete tasks. Students also toured the New England Civil War Museum, visited Henry Park’s Fox Hill Tower and had lunch at Talcott Park.
 
“We wanted to give our third-graders an exciting way to explore the history of Rockville, as well as see what their town has to offer them today,” said third-grade teacher Tammie Repass. “Our goal is to share this with the other elementary schools so that all of the town’s third graders have the opportunity to explore Rockville.”
 
The field trip was organized by Skinner Road School’s third-grade teachers, including Sara Gruner, Anne Willette and Repass. Assistance was also provided by school nurse, Judi Manfre, and Executive Assistant to the Mayor Diane Wheelock. Russ’ Time Rock ‘n' Roll Diner donated lemonade and cookies to all of the students and chaperones.

State Rep. Claire Janowski led a tour of the Capitol for third-grade students from Northeast School.  Students, teachers and chaperones were not aware that Janowski had arranged for the state’s top two elected officials to meet the group during the tour.

The group of 50 students toured the House and Senate Chambers and learned about the history of the Capitol.  
 
“It was a pleasure to have these inquisitive and knowledgeable students at the Capitol,” Janowski said. “They asked very educated questions and were very surprised and excited to meet the governor and lieutenant governor.”
 
After being notified by Rep. Janowski of the students’ visit, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman both stopped by the Senate Chamber for a brief question-and-answer session.

Janowski said, “It was an unexpected treat for the class and thoughtful of the governor and lieutenant governor to make the time to stop by given their busy schedule.”


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