Dear Editor: Here at CECH we were delighted to read Carole Johnson’s article on Hamilton Branch No. 3, in the May 8th issue of THE PAPER. The third graders at Hamilton are the youngest students ever to have been involved in a community action project under CECH’s aegis.
We have sometimes been told by junior and senior high school teachers that “there isn’t much that kids can do to exert influence in public affairs.” Of course, we have never agreed with that viewpoint! We believe that kids can choose problems which concern them, can work to help solve those problems, can realize that they—at whatever age— can be informed, alert and effective citizens.
The kind of support your newspaper gave “our” third graders helped them to do just that. The kids again have trash cans around the school; regretably, not those they had decorated, but city-owned trash cans nonetheless. We think that they have gained more than a means of controlling litter. We believe they have gained in knowledge, skills and pride. We’re proud of them, and of their teacher, Florence Billups, and their principal, Doris Jones.
And just think of what we can say to doubtful teachers of older students!
Sincerely,
Betty Lee Acting Director Citizenship Education Clearing House
Originally published in The Paper, June 1977.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed regretably retained.
Original source: SD_Times1977_06.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
