HIGHLAND PARK SCHOOLS BEGIN NEW TRADITION AND EMBARK ON BOLD NEW PROJECT: THE REFORESTATION OF HIGHLAND PARK-EPIDEMIC OF EMERALD ASH BORER INVASION AND DESTRUCTION OF TREES

HIGHLAND PARK SCHOOLS BEGIN NEW TRADITION AND EMBARK ON BOLD NEW PROJECT: THE REFORESTATION OF HIGHLAND PARK-EPIDEMIC OF EMERALD ASH BORER INVASION AND DESTRUCTION OF TREES
Due to District 112’s recent adaptation of a new and improved 7th grade core curriculum social studies program, the greater than 15 year tradition of the 7th grade students participation in the very successful national Project Citizen Program had to be eliminated. District 112 as part of the 43 state involved Common Core Learning Standards adopted and developed by the Department of Education modified the 7th grade social study curriculum to be part of a two-year United States history social studies program such that all schools in Highland Park would be consistent in teaching the same and recommended improved curriculum. Unfortunately, time constraints within this new curriculum necessitated the elimination of the 7th grade participation in Project Citizen. In view of this, Dr. Mark Nolan Hill, who has coordinated and been intimately involved with Project Citizen for over 15 years asked for a meeting with Dr. Michael Bregy (Superintendent District 112), Jennifer Ferrari (Assistant Superintendent District 112), Jaime Barraza (Learning Coordinator for Social Studies, District 112), Dr. Richard Schroeder (Principal, Elm Place School), and Brian Wagner (6th grade Elm Place Social Studies teacher). At this meeting, permission was given to incorporate the “usual” 7th grade involvement in Project Citizen to the 6th grade level, where Brain Wagner teaches social studies. This change from 7th grade to 6th grade is decidedly different from the more common 7th grade classes in Highland Park, the State of Illinois, and the country for Project Citizen. Project Citizen is a nationally sponsored program in which the students learn about public policy and civic education, as part of the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies. The students themselves identify a problem in their community, research it, develop a public policy and an action plan to promote it. Each year the entire class formally presents to a Simulated Legislative Hearing Panel made up of leaders, authorities, and legislators in the area of their chosen problem. This is followed by subsequent presentation to the Mayor and City Council with receipt of a Mayoral Proclamation. Their success in these past years is reflected in their being chosen by Governor Pat Quinn after presentation to him in Springfield, to represent the State of Illinois in the National Competition, in which they were awarded the Blue Ribbon (the first time Illinois has ever won). They have received personal written commendations from former Governor Quinn, former Mayor Richard Daley, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former Mayor of Toronto David Miller, Senator Mark Kirk, as well as two personal visits to Highland Park from former Governor Pat Quinn to directly assist the students. Their subjects year to year have included immigration, ravine erosion, mercury in the environment, Lake Michigan pollution, water conservation, lead contamination, sustainability, and bullying to name but a few. This years topic and project is THE REFORESTATION OF HIGHLAND PARK- EPIDEMIC OF EMERALD ASH BORER INVASION AND DESTRUCTION OF TREES The 6th grade students at Elm Place School will present the entire day to the Simulated Legislative Hearing Panel on Friday, May 8, in the Elm Place School Auditorium. This Panel will include Dr. Mark Nolan Hill, Mayor Nancy Rotering, Councilwoman Alyssa Knobel, Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy, Chief of Police Paul Shafer and Psychologist Dr. Richard Markin. On Monday May 11 at 7:30pm the students will present to Mayor Rotering and the City Council, and receive a Mayoral Proclamation. Both of these events are open to the public, and encouraged to attend. Dr. Hill, the District, and Schools are most pleased and enthusiastic about the “resurrection” of Project Citizen in our 6th grade students and their important and relevant project, beginning a new chapter in the continuation of this excellent and beneficial program. Mark Nolan Hill, MD, FACS Professor of Surgery Chicago Medical School President, North Shore Surgical Associates