As part of the NYC Department of Education’s initiative to increase civic engagement among students, several elected officials visited public schools last week to discuss democracy and the functions of government.
Throughout ‘Civics Week,’ students across the city participated in student voter registration drives, poster contests, and a public speaking competition where they could speak out about issues that are affecting their communities.
They also had the chance to meet with elected officials to hear firsthand about their roles in government. The elected officials in Northeast Queens who visited schools in their respective district noted that civic engagement is strong among the youth, as seen by their knowledge and engagement in local issues.
State Sen. John Liu, who represents Bayside, first visited Adrien Block I.S. 25 in Flushing to speak with middle school students about civic engagement and the democratic process. He later visited P.S. 188Q in Bayside with Council Member Linda Lee and Queens Supreme Court Judge Karen Lin to swear in the school’s very own Student Council.
“The youth of today are more active and engaged in the issues than ever before, so it is essential they learn to think critically and empathetically about their politics and engage in healthy civic debate,” Liu said. “Clearly, their interest in the issues affecting their community and the world extends far beyond just Civics Week, and we are fortunate here in Queens to have such eager and thoughtful participation by our students of all ages.”
The NYC Department of Education launched the Civics for All Initiative to cultivate civically engaged students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Now in its sixth year, Civics Week took place between Mar. 11- 15 with a theme of Democracy Needs You this year.
During Meet Your Civic Leaders Day at M.S. 216Q in Fresh Meadows , Liu was joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado to discuss the election process, policy creation and the different levels of government.
Council Member Vickie Paladino also visited assemblies at P.S. 94 in Little Neck and P.S. 209 in Clearview to hear presentations from the students and answer their questions. Paladino was able to share what inspired her to run for office, as well as laws and activism throughout the city.
“I was impressed by the real issues that the students spoke about. From accessible playgrounds to trash on the streets, they were informative and addressed ongoing issues that we face here in New York City,” Paladino said in her newsletter. “I heard from the future leaders of the city and I’m confident we will have capable hands to leave it with when the time comes.”
The goal of the initiative is to help students link history, current events and democratic structures together in order to make empowered decisions for the future of the city and country.
