First graders learn about local government

Hopewell Elementary School first graders learned firsthand about how local government works.

With a field trip to Borough Hall in Hopewell Borough on June 6, first graders heard from Borough Administrator Doug Walker and Borough Clerk Regina Toth about day-to-day operations, administering a municipal budget, and processing permits and licenses.

The students also learned from Councilwoman Krista Weaver, Councilwoman Sheri Hook, Councilwoman Debra Stuhler, and Mayor Ryan Kennedy.

Weaver, who spearheaded the field trip, said it is important that students learn about local government.

“As we get older, we get very busy and it is not always easy to participate in local government, but I wanted everyone to be aware of the resources we do offer here and how rewarding the experience can be if you do participate,” she said. “You do have a say in what happens in your municipality.”

The field trip idea was brewing for some time for Weaver, whose two daughters – students at HES – would tag along during her trips to Borough Hall to sign papers and perform other duties.

They were curious about the courtroom where Borough Council conducts meetings, hears from the public and passes laws. When they got a chance to sit behind the dais, they would take turns to bang the gavel.

“They enjoyed it so much I thought ‘Wouldn’t it be great to get more kids involved in this’ and sort of teach them how our local government works, what it is that we do here, what are the differences between the borough and the township, and also how rewarding it can be to be involved with your community,” she said.

Weaver reached out to Dana Pontani, her older daughter’s first grade teacher at HES, to see if they would be interested in a trip to Borough Hall for the students. With interest and approvals granted, the field trip was organized.

A big part of the tour and trip was learning how legislation becomes law in a municipality. The students were able to work on mock legislation for an ordinance to determine what the town animal should be.

After some consideration, the students determined they wanted to make the town’s official animal be Freddy the Frog, which is the mascot for Hopewell Elementary. With students serving as mayor and council on the dais, they introduced an ordinance establishing the frog as the official animal of Hopewell Borough.

Weaver, Hook, Stuhler, and Kennedy – acting as residents – provided public comment during the public hearing for the ordinance. Then students then motioned to adopt the ordinance.

Every student got the chance to act as residents as well as sit at the dais acting as mayor and council members.

“While government is confusing and sometimes a little scary that is a group of people,” Kennedy said. “It is neighbors, it is their parents, its friends working towards making the community a better place and everyone is very approachable and there are a lot of different ways to get in touch and be part of it.

“Democracy is a participation sport and I’m glad to see them getting involved early and learning the different ways they can be a part of it.”

The tour and trip concluded for students when they learned more about the Department of Public Works and Hopewell Township Police Department, which serves Hopewell Borough, by speaking directly with public works staff and a police officer. Students were also able to sit and explore the front driver seat of a township police vehicle.

“I’m so pleased with our schools partnering with us and everything they are doing to help our kids understand how government works, how to participate, and how to be a part of civics,” Kennedy said. “I’m really excited to see all these faces and know they are going to grow to be great citizens thanks to the work that our school is doing here.”

The mayor hopes the trips become a tradition.

“I want to thank Councilwoman Weaver for organizing this,” he said. “I think it is a great thing to make this into an annual tradition.

“To experience (how government works) with us and to learn a bit is great. I would like to see this be an annual thing in the town.”