Is it difficult to change Belmont’s bylaws? Which articles are being considered at Town Meeting? Does Town Meeting have any control over the schools?
These were just some of the questions posed by students during Belmont Middle School’s second annual Local Government Day.
Government Day brings local officials to eighth-grade social studies classrooms to speak about their paths to becoming involved in Belmont politics, their civic responsibilities, and issues affecting town life.
This year, the event hosted 12 speakers from the Belmont Select Board, Police Department, and Fire Department, as well as town administrative offices, and the State House.
“Each of the times I’ve been in to observe, [the students] are kind of fixated on what they’re hearing,” said Belmont Middle School Principal Russ Kupperstein.
The event also launches students into developing their own civics action projects—an assignment required by Massachusetts public schools.
“[The civics project] really asks our kids, what can you do as an active citizen?” said Deborah McDevitt, the social studies director for Belmont Middle School.
She described the project as an “inquiry-based research project” that encourages students to work together to investigate a problem in their community, identify local stakeholders, and develop a course of action.
A Natural Fit
The middle school partnered with the Belmont Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) to make the event possible.
According to McDevitt, the event was based upon a previous, smaller version of Government Day organized by the Social Studies Department.
“When the PTO approached us, wondering what are some ways they can support students in the classroom, this came right to my mind, because it has a direct impact on students and their learning,” McDevitt recalled.
When local government officials started visiting the school, McDevitt noticed the students’ civics projects became more local. For example, last year, conversations with local officials about economic planning spurred students to question which types of businesses could flourish in Belmont.
Other topics students investigated last year included field maintenance and bike and pedestrian safety, according to McDevitt.
An Opportunity for Learning
Through the event, students also learn that government officials can arrive at their positions through various winding career paths, said Kupperstein.
“I think [it’s] especially important for all of our students to understand that career changes are actually quite frequent, and they don’t have to have it all figured out at this point in their lives,” he added.
Kupperstein said he hopes students will learn about their responsibilities as citizens, how to see through the lenses of others, and how different systems impact the community.
At Government Day, students also learn how to ask and answer questions, including “How do I move my question forward?”, “Who are the people [who] can help me find an answer?” and “What are the paths I can take if something is concerning me and I’m hoping for a change?” said McDevitt.
“I think [those] question-asking and problem-solving skills [are] something that we could see translate across [the] curriculum [and] throughout [students’] lives,” she added.
Kupperstein said he looks forward to the event continuing in future years, as it inspires students to get involved in their communities.
“I think it’s doing just that,” he said.