Let the Children Lead

FIFTH GRADERS AS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING LEADERS

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

·         To provide students with an understanding of the purpose and process of the Board of Education

·         To increase students’ interest in public service

·         To improve students’ understanding of parliamentary procedure and improve their public speaking skills

·         To help students learn how to work together to come to consensus on real issues

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

                The SAYREVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION provides its fifth graders with an annual opportunity to participate in an authentic civics lesson.  In a competitive process, students are selected to serve as Board members and school administrators for an actual Board of Education meeting.

                As a result of their experience, these fifth graders develop an appreciation for the workings of the Board of Education and the roles of elected officials in their community.  It is our expectation that this experience will encourage students to consider local public service in the future.

The Board of Education will sponsor a student-run Board of Education meeting.  This year the Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the Sayreville War Memorial High School and will feature approximately 16 fifth grade students in the role of Board Member or administrator.   I would like to give you an opportunity to be a part of a program for fifth graders to become “Board members” or administrators for a public Board meeting.

 

Before applying for this program, you need to ask yourself:

1.  Am I available on the date of the Board Meeting?  (Tuesday, February 21st from 7:30 PM –9:30 PM)?

2.  Am I willing to put the time and effort into learning more about the jobs of Board members and administrators?

3.  Will I commit to meeting with the person whose position on the Board I will represent?

4.  Will I write a letter of application for this opportunity?

5.  Am I willing to share the information with my class during and after the experience?

 

If you answered “Yes” to all of these questions, then I invite you to apply.  Please complete the following application and return it to your classroom teacher by December 21st.  Your teacher will assign a number to your application so that we can review the applications without names.  Please do not provide any information in your application that will identify you.