Students' letters to politicians focus on issues
Students' letters to politicians focus on issues
Byline:
BY LINDSAY VANHULLE
Byline:
BY LINDSAY VANHULLE
TRAVERSE CITY -- Students in Josh Veith's social studies classes like to talk about politics, especially when issues surface that concern their daily lives.
But Veith noticed they tended to express opinions to each other within the classroom walls. So he had his students at Traverse City High School put their ideas on paper and address them to politicians.
The teens write letters every Friday to various government leaders, from President Barack Obama to outgoing Traverse City Mayor Michael Estes.
Last month, they researched potential budget cuts for next year in Traverse City's public schools and drafted letters to a district committee generating a list of recommendations.
Close to 30 letters were scanned and uploaded to the district's Web site.
"It makes me feel like I'm actually heard out a little bit," said Anthony Parker, 17, a senior at the alternative high school.
He's writing a note to the city commission now.
Offering input to the committee accomplishes two goals, Veith said -- not only are students active in the political process, they're letting decision-makers know how their choices will affect those with the most at stake.
Students are particularly concerned about a suggestion to cut high school busing, a move that could save an estimated $1 million. Many at Traverse City High don't have consistent transportation and rely on the bus.
Administrators years ago eliminated buses for high school students, but later reinstated them.
"There are kids in this district that can't afford cars," said senior Britany Abbey, 18, adding that buses no longer travel down her street. "A lot of people wouldn't be going to school."
One idea is to transport students from kindergarten through 12th grade on the same bus, thus cutting down on the number of overlapping buses -- an estimated $500,000 in savings.
Student Ashley Archey wrote that she attended schools where multiple grades were successfully combined, and it "would be beneficial" if tried in Traverse City.
But senior Jeff Lick, 18, isn't so sure.
He said buses from Traverse City High pick up students from the Traverse Bay Area Career-Tech Center before continuing on to Central and West high schools. Adding more students, especially smaller ones, could pose a problem.
"My bus is always cramped," Lick said. "Because kids are bigger, there's only two to a seat."
Senior Michelle Brown, 17, said the committee should eliminate half days because it's difficult to accomplish much in short class periods.
"It might not save a lot of money, but it will save enough," she said.
- Posted on November 6, 2009
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Are the politicians ever actually going to do something about the issues or are they going to just talk about them and then collect there public speaking check?
Are the politicians ever actually going to do something about the issues or are they going to just talk about them and then collect there public speaking check?
I completely agree with this! More kids need to be writing to our government and telling them what the new generation wants and thinks. I am very big into politics and I believe that kids should be voicing their opinions. The president and congress might now want to hear what we have to say but they need to. I am against some of the things the government is doing so I think our school should have a program much like this one. It would get all of us involved in modern day politics.
I think doing this gives everyone a good chance to see what the new generation thinks about everything. how are they supposed to better things if they dont see how everything is.?? wow
I found a symbol in this article. The symbol is the letters that the kids write. They symbolize every budget cut we have and they symbolize doing something about those budget cuts. I also think it's important that us kids do something about things we aren't getting because of this economy. I mean how does the government expect us to do well in school when we don't have extra activities that we want to do? Band and chorus are great activities but they also give us a break from academic activities. And I know that our school needs READ 180 and intensive math classes and things like that, but why can't we make those things after school activities? I know that kids need that extra help to catch up with everyone else, but what about the kids that don't need to catch up? What about me? I have all advance classes and I'm taking a ninth grade science class! I DESERVE TO HAVE BAND AND/OR CHORUS!!!!!
I like letters from the politicians. They are good at what the new generations are. I like to see what Obama would do next to about country.
Well, its stupid because we should already be able to see were "yes we can" is going. Obama is like a fake, a fraud in that manner. Obama is lying 24/7!! he is lying about cutting taxes and getting more jobs up. he has taxed us more in the past what....2 months! and the jobs, He has cut more in again what, 2 months!!!!!?????!!!!!?????!!!!!?????
I think doing this gives everyone a good chance to see what the new generation thinks about everything. how are they supposed to better things if they dont see how everything is.??