Happy spring everyone! I’ve been doing a lot lately, so I’ll fill you in. On March 7, I had a town hall at my school, with Rep. Daniel Nguyễn, Senate President Wagner, and my school’s student board member Sy Jones.
Those of you who have never been to a town hall, it works like this. Representatives and Senators, answer questions from community members about issues important to them, or about their community. The town hall at my school was a little different. It was hosted in our grade school’s gym, where fifth through eighth grade classes came. Kids who wanted to ask questions to us would come up to a microphone and ask one of us their question.
At first I was worried that I would jumble up my words, or say the wrong thing, but eventually I was able to block out my fear and speak from the heart. After that, I had an amazing time answering questions. But I think my favorite part of the day… was actually before the town hall. I was pulled out of math (yay!) and went downstairs to meet Rep. Daniel Nguyễn, and Sy Jones to give them a tour of our school! Senate President Wagner was sadly unable to make it for the tour, but was still there for the town hall.
We weaved around the school building going from first grade classrooms to seventh grade classrooms. I had a wonderful time showing them around, and was proud to be able to spread my knowledge of climate change further!
If you wanted to do a town hall at your school, here is a potential schedule to help with planning.
Sample 1 Hour Tour/Assembly Schedule:
- 15 Minute Tour: Tour led by students and principal.
- Tour ends at the assembly location for an approximately 45 minute assembly
- (~5min) Opening act, student performance showcase!
- (~10min) The Principal will open the town hall/assembly once panelists are on stage and have everyone introduce themselves. Suggested panel includes house and senate representation and student leadership.
- (~25min) Questions to panel from moderator
- Broad civics-related questions & legislative-focused questions.
- Before the assembly students prepared questions in class with their teachers. Questions were collected on notecards. When called, a student comes up to the microphone and asks the question from the notecard.
- Lighter questions (favorite type of pizza, what did you want to be when you grow up etc.) just for fun.
- Broad civics-related questions & legislative-focused questions.
- (~5min) Moderator turns over to panel for closing thoughts and/or a closing act, student performance showcase!
- Event ends
- Tour ends at the assembly location for an approximately 45 minute assembly