By JAMES L. MACDONALD
Open Space and Recreation Working Group
LYNNFIELD — On June 5 at Lynnfield Middle School, grade 8 civics classes under the supervision of teachers Michael Wein and Jillian Rubin had the opportunity to present their Civic Action Projects to the Lynnfield community during two different time slots.
There was one group presentation scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. held in the cafeteria and then another presentation scheduled at 12:30-1 p.m. held in the auditorium.
The topics were the students’ final Civics Action Projects, which needs to complete six steps for their attendance at the Grade 8 Civics Action Fair. Those steps are to first examine and identify a topic that matters to them, their families and the Lynnfield community.
Students then needed to identify a specific issue, which is followed by doing their research and investigation on their chosen topic. The students then developed an action plan. After that, the students then took action by having a voice related to the topic. The final stage was reflecting and showcasing all their work by presenting at the Civics Action Fair.
The event was well-attended and the students did an incredible job with all their research, preparation, and presentations related to their chosen projects.
There were a variety of topics from academic burnout, addiction, awareness of nature trails, changing food menus to eliminate waste, cleaning Pillings Pond, course offerings, the effects of bullying, English as a Second Language (ESL) parent-school communication, maintaining the nature trails, mental health awareness, peer pressure, promoting Pillings Pond, road and sidewalk conditions, social media affects and pushing back school start times.
The success of such an endeavor really takes a village. I would like to thank the Principal Stephen Ralston, who encourages a wonderful use of our educational resources, and Assistant Principal Dana Courtney, who I had the pleasure to meet and talk to during the first presentation session.
Civic teachers Michael Wein and Jillian Rubin breathe into life to such a large undertaking and led the success and fruition of this heartfelt project. Also thanks to the parents and community members who arranged their schedules so they could also be supportive and encourage our future generation.