A Visit from the Riverhead Town Supervisor

Oct 22

What started as an investigation of the structures and functions of governmental branches, agencies and elected officials by Middle Primary students as part of the “Civics: Communities and Citizens in Action” trimester-long unit is evolving into an exploration of how governments serve the interests of their communities. And, it’s exciting!
What’s emerged is that students have concerns about their local communities (things like climate change, development’s effect on wildlife, and vaping are among them), and they have some changes they would like to see made. They seem to be on their way to figuring their way around the realities of regulations, law-making, and local government agencies to see just how governments can make change and how their citizen voices can be heard.
The Hon. Laura Jens-Smith, Riverhead Town Supervisor, visited the MP classroom this week to talk with these concerned citizens. She answered their (many) questions, including queries about her motivation for serving as Supervisor, her goals for the remainder of her term, how zoning for development is determined, and the town’s climate action plan.
Teaching about political systems and their responsiveness to citizen concerns is so totally appropriate and engaging for third and fourth graders. Being able to do it during a campaign cycle and through our local elections?!?! – so valuable, and the reason we are so committed to flexible, relevant and responsive curriculum.