Washington Elementary partnered with the office of Ismail Smith-Wade-El to host a Student Civic Engagement Town Hall for fourth and fifth grade students. Through this partnership, Representative Smith-Wade-El joined Mayor Jaime Arroyo and School Board Member Katrina Holmes inside the Washington Elementary gymnasium for an authentic, student-led conversation about issues shaping their community.
In the weeks leading up to the town hall, students worked alongside their teachers to prepare. Grounded in their Social Studies curriculum, they studied the structure of local and state government, explored how public policy affects daily life, and drafted thoughtful questions connected to their own experiences. Teachers guided students through research, discussion, revision, and reflection so that their questions were clear, purposeful, and rooted in learning.
The result was was civic engagement in action. Students asked about solutions to cyberbullying and what leaders can do to keep young people safe online. They raised questions about clean, walkable neighborhoods and how city planning can promote safety and sustainability. They wanted to know how technology can be integrated into classrooms in ways that support learning while minimizing distraction. They even asked about culturally responsive food options and how school meals can better reflect the diverse identities within their community.
Throughout the event, students approached the microphone with confidence. They listened closely to each response and engaged in meaningful dialogue. They demonstrated that when given the opportunity, elementary students are more than capable of thinking critically about complex issues.
Fourth grade students have been studying natural resources and sustainability since November. After reading an interview with Mayor Arroyo in LNP earlier this winter, fourth grade teacher Heather Jenkins saw an opportunity to bring those lessons to life.
“The students have been learning about natural resources and sustainability in social studies since November,” Jenkins explained. “After reading the interview with new mayor, Jaime Arroyo, in LNP in early February, I thought the students would enjoy the challenge of making a model walkable city that also included sustainable energy sources.”
Students designed and constructed their own model walkable city, carefully considering bike lanes, public transportation, green spaces, renewable energy sources, and pedestrian-friendly streets. Every building and roadway reflected their understanding of environmental responsibility and community planning.
“Each part of the city was created and built out of the learning and imagination of the fourth graders,” Jenkins shared. “Lots of tape, glue, and love went into this, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
When Mayor Arroyo visited the classroom and saw the students’ creations firsthand, the connection between classroom instruction and civic leadership became tangible.
“The cherry on top was that Mayor Arroyo actually came to visit our school and saw the students’ creations,” Jenkins added. “We hope you can see how perfectly imperfect this mini town is and enjoy a glimpse into our classroom.”
The Student Civic Engagement Town Hall exemplifies Rigorous Community Connected Classroom Instruction, a key practice within our Community School Framework. Teaching and learning at Washington Elementary infused high-level academic content with authentic, real-world application. Students were analyzing issues, communicating ideas, collaborating with peers, and connecting their identities and lived experiences to public leadership.
This work aligns directly with the district’s vision to cultivate graduates who are analytical, communicative, collaborative, resilient, and civic minded.
At the School District of Lancaster, we believe civic engagement begins early. When schools and community leaders partner together and center student voice, students see themselves not just as learners, but as active contributors to the future of Lancaster.