Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Some Tyrone Area High School students will be getting close-up lesson in local government this year.
Todd Cammarata is a 10th-grade civics teacher at the school. He recently informed municipalities and the district school board about plans for his students to attend borough, township and school board meetings as part of his class. Cammarata said he is constantly looking for ways to encourage his students to be more actively involved in their communities.
In his letter to municipalities, Cammarata said, “I believe that one important way to do this is to bring students face to face with elected officials so that they can experience the political process in person.”
Starting this year, each student enrolled in his U.S. Civics class will be required to attend at least one public meeting in the borough or township in which they live or of the Tyrone Area School District School Board.
Cammarata noted, “Too few citizens understand the issues that local governments and school boards face. Hopefully, by attending a public meeting and reflecting on what they see, students will gain some firsthand knowledge of how their local government functions and the challenges that face the towns, townships, and school districts in which they live.”
The students will need to have an attendance form signed by local government officials. They’ll also be required to complete a series of questions during the meeting to receive credit for the project.
Cammarata explained his students would then use the questions and notes to write a reflective essay about their experience. He said the assignment would be a major part of their final exam portfolio, which is one-fifth of their final course grade.
Cammarata noted students would not be able to pass the final without fulfilling this requirement.
The civics teacher also invited local government officials to be a guest in his classroom to discuss issues in the community particularly as they relate to young people.
Cammarata said students would be able to complete the assignment throughout the school year between September and May. He said about 120 students are expected to participate in the project.

By Rick