Students Share Their Voice

At our September 26th weekly Flag Raising Ceremony, the address to students focused on three aspects of citizenship: 1) Know what is important in your neighborhood, school, and community; 2) Listen, read and think about everyone's opinion respectfully even if it doesn't match your own; and 3) Do something to make your neighborhood, school, and community a better place!

The Flag Raising Ceremony ended with an invitation to all students to think about something that matters in their neighborhood, school, and community and then write a letter expressing their opinion. I told our Mayport Elementary students that this is one way that citizens make their voices heard. The plan that I shared with our Mayport students was to send every letter that I received to our local newspapers. Each letter would definitely get read by the editor. They may even get published!

On Monday, the following letter was delivered by a first grade teacher who shared that Cecilia walked into class and announced that she needed to see the principal immediately. After asking why this was necessary, Cecilia explained that she had written a letter and had to give it to the principal right away! The text of her letter reads:


I was delighted to see a first grade student so engaged as a citizen and eager to respond to a call to action. Her concern for the environment is heartfelt and expresses to readers exactly what they can do to help-"Pic-up litr."

This letter reveals the degree to which our children are in tune with the world around them and have significant thoughts to share. I am so very proud of the students at Mayport Elementary who chose to exercise their citizenship last week by voicing their concerns about their neighborhoods, school, and community using the power of the written word.