Kids prepare to participate in civic life

In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, the Glen Cove School District is shining a spotlight on the universal capacity for positive change, regardless of age or adversity. The district is at the forefront of the Seal of Civic Readiness initiative, emphasizing civic education’s importance and recognizing students’ preparedness for active participation in civic life.

The seal is a symbol of commitment to civic responsibility, but is also a formal recognition that a student has reached a high level of proficiency in civic knowledge, skills, mindset and experiences. The Seal of Civic Readiness distinction will appear on high school transcripts and diplomas.

“Civic education isn’t just a tool for change; it’s the key to saving our world,” Susan Poulos, the district’s coordinator of social studies, said at the Jan. 17 Board of Education meeting. “It is the embodiment of the belief that collaborative efforts fueled by individuals such as our students can address the complex challenges we face, from environmental issues to societal inequality to political reform.”

The elementary schools focus on building a foundation of empathy, and understanding rights and responsibilities as members of the community. In kindergarten, students learn the values of kindness, sharing and civic responsibility through activities like visiting senior citizens and engaging with community helpers. Kindergartners learned about civic action by visiting senior citizens at Sunrise Senior Assisted Living, where they sang holiday songs.

First-graders have written Mother’s Day cards, and visited the post office to learn how to mail them.

“It’s not just about sending a heartwarming letter to Mom,” Poulos explained. “It’s a lesson in communication and understanding the community services.”

Middle school students have learned the importance of becoming informed citizens by exploring their community, visiting City Hall and meeting local leaders. The emphasis is on civic participation, and preparing students for the democratic processes they will encounter.

Sixth-graders were encouraged to create art with the theme Extraordinary Earth, and were tasked with raising awareness of global sustainability. Seventh- and eighth-grade students are offered two electives, Foundations in Government and Citizens Rights and Responsibilities. The seventh-grade civic engagement course focuses on foundations of government, citizens’ rights and responsibilities, grass-roots movements and creating change, current events, and an introduction to debate. Eighth-grade students can choose capstone research projects with student-generated topics.

High school students reach the pinnacle of civic education, the practical application of civic knowledge and skills acquired in the previous courses.

Virginia Graziosi’s senior capstone project, which she presented to the Board of Education on Jan. 17, focused on her experience, since last June, with HorseAbility, a nonprofit that focuses on adaptive horseback riding for those with mental and physical disabilities.

“As I spent more time volunteering, I’ve noticed that as riders approach the mounting block, their faces light up with smiles,” Graziosi said. “Not only were these riders excited to learn how to work with horses, they felt safe in the hands of their side-walkers. HorseAbility showed me that the comfort animals bring to humans is no longer just my personal experience. This is why I’m taking on the role of an active change maker.”

Graziosi said that her time with the program inspired her to get involved in fundraising efforts for HorseAbility beyond her project.

In another capstone project, senior Phoebe George addressed issues facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, focusing on trans youth. In their presentation to the school board, George explained that in the past two years, 510 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in Congress, and 278 of those were directed at trans people, who account for 2 percent of the United States population.

“According to the Trevor Project, allowing trans youth to express themselves as their truest selves drops the rates of depression, anxiety and suicide,” George said. “I believe that smaller communities such as ours need to do something, the discussion of gender and sexuality is very taboo. Having that conversation not be considered taboo, not be considered dangerous, is just the first step in creating a more comfortable world for not just people like me, but people everywhere.”