POSTCARDS FROM THE FRONT
“ All of these forums — Speaker Series , student volunteer opportunities , clubs , internships , and summer programs — bring civic awareness and training to a certain percentage of the student body . ... If the goal is popularizing a civics mindset in student culture as a whole , these programs aren ’ t designed to move the ball across that line .”
ical technology entrepreneur to musician to investment fund manager ! Active citizenship is not reserved for those who work in government or community organizing ! Word to the wise : the behind-the-scenes organization involved in bringing in speakers and planning associated programming for students and parents takes an inordinate amount of time . Make sure your administration appreciates this fact .
Another set of forums that foster civic capacity fall under the heading of Student Life / Extracurriculars . First , the array of community engagement programs , which bring students out to tutor and work in local towns , was brought under the umbrella of the
CCCE . Second , the CCCE supports a number of student clubs in the Upper School , such as Debate , Model United Nations , and the Bioethics Club . All promote practice in the civic skills of deliberation , evaluation of evidence , and rhetoric . The CCCE also nurtures new clubs initiated by students , such as EMPWR ( Enacting More Positive Change with Women at Rivers ) whose goal is to “ engage and empower students identifying as female through discussions , volunteer work , and advocacy about current events and social justice issues .” Third , the CCCE also has an internship program , to which seniors may apply . These ‘ Civic Leadership Interns ’ communicate Center programs to the student body , plan and implement Current Event assemblies ( on such topics as the Mid-Year Elections , the Impeachment process , and COVID ), and produce a personal civic action project . Finally , the CCCE also acts as a resource center to connect students with external summer programs and internships in politics and public policy . We are fortunate to have the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University nearby and we have partnered with them to support fellowships for two students each summer to attend their residential program , Leadership for Social Change .
All of these forums — Speaker Series , student volunteer opportunities , clubs , internships , and summer programs — bring civic awareness and training to a certain percentage of the student body . And therein lies the challenge . These programs take a fair amount of time and effort to create and sustain and yet
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CSEE Connections Summer 2021 Page 9