Summit Students School Officials On Public Policy

SUMMIT, NJ - Learning came to life last Friday as Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School (LCJSMS)'s 7th Annual Summit Public Policy Convention saw students share their plans on how solve problems facing the City of Summit.

In the weeks leading up to the conventions, eighth grade students have been learning about the purposes of government, as well as how and why policies, specifically at the local level, are created. Students were given the task of identifying a "problem" within the City of Summit and developing a plan to work hand in hand with local government to solve it. To do so, student groups surveyed residents of Summit to determine the importance of their “problems,” created problem statements, charted survey results, wrote literature reviews, policy proposals, letters to city officials, and designed action plans.

"The Summit Public Policy Project is one of my favorite projects of the year. It naturally empowers students to not only learn about their town, but also to become thoughtful, active citizens," Teacher Laurie McCormack said.

The current 8th grade social studies course provides students with a thorough, relevant, and engaging standards-based curriculum that focuses on United States citizenship and civics. To do so, the teachers emphasize problem-based projects where students are challenged in real-life classroom simulations. According to organizers, this particular project empowers students to take an active role in their environment and make their own "civic imprints."

This year, students chose a wide range of topics from parking problems/garages, to streets and sidewalks, to road repair and maintenance, to installation of bike lanes, to dog parks, to shuttle service to the train station, to snow removal, to air-conditioning in schools, to a blue-light safety system.

"The Public Policy Convention Day at Lawton C. Johson Summit Middle School is a day where our students truly shine as they get the opportunity bring their learning and hard work to life," McCormack said.

The teachers involved in the project, McCormack, Dan Miller, Theresa Martin and Gina Tarabocchia, said all of the projects are insightful as they address concerns students have in their town. City officials and the Summit community as a whole are extremely supportive of this project, the teachers said and the support from the local community is overwhelming. One year, former Councilman Patrick Hurley asked two student groups to present at an engineering meeting at city hall. Another year, Mayor Nora Radest officially acknowledged the entire project at a town council meeting, the teachers said.

Friday's event brought out Superintendent June Chang, HR Director Dr. Matt Block and BOE President Deb McCann as well as Council President David Naidu, Councilman Stephen Bowman, Principal of LCJSMS, Dr. Donna Gallo, and her two Assistant Principals Alicia Subervi and John Ciferni. Assisant Director of Education Michelle Cebula, Director of Curriculum Jennifer McCann and Ward One Councilman Matt Gould also were in attendance.

According to McCormack, the main objective to get students to become active citizens and realize the importance of civic engagement, even at the local level, was met.

It is an event not to be missed, and surely to be remembered by those who attend," McCormack said.

Photo caption: From left, Caroline Herring, Spencer Nicely, Jack Grondin and Stephanie Sexton. Photo courtesy of the Summit School District.

Photo caption: From left, Joaquin Gonzalez, Joanna Geci, Maria Montero, Grady Borst. Photo courtesy of the Summit School District.

Thanks for reading! Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com