Neff Gives Legislators Tips
Written by Jessi De La Cruz and published in the Lansing State Journal. Published: 02/11/2003.
Raising the legal age for smoking and lowering the speed limit were among a host of ideas Neff Elementary School fifth-graders pitched to state lawmakers Monday.
Students proposed the ideas as possible bills. They made their presentations to members of the state House Civics Commission, which was formed to give students a chance to interact and learn about state government.
Fifth-graders worked in groups for about a month on their bill proposals. Monday was a culmination of research, writing, teamwork and practice presentations for the students.
“ They were so nervous and excited today,” teacher Kelly Nevison said. “You have boys in ties and girls in skirts that I’ve never seen before.”
Neff Elementary is one of at least 20 schools across Michigan that have requested a visit from the Civics Commission.
The chance to talk to the legislators is open to students in grades 4-12.
“
We knew there were ideas out there that kids have,” said Tiffany Aurora,
legislative assistant for state Rep. Doug Hart, R-Rockford, who created the
commission. “We need to go to them.”
The commission also met with students from Lansing’s Sexton High School
on Monday. Other cities the commission has visited include Jenison, Grand
Rapids, and West Bloomfield.
The commission has about 15 more meetings scheduled for this year and is starting to book dates for the fall, Aurora said. State house Rep. Susan Tabor, R-Delta Township, and Hart met with the Neff students. State Sen. Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, also attended the commission meeting.
Many of the student proposals from Neff focused on pet safety, from the abuse of greyhounds to abuse of horses.
“ I think the ideas really reflect their interests and their age,” Nevison said. Preparing the presentations was hard work for the students, she said.
The project touched all areas of the curriculum and required students to build teamwork and public-speaking skills.
Fifth-grader Greg Byford proposed raising the age for driving without a permit to 18.
“ When you do papers, you do it alone,” said Greg, 11. “It’s fun to work in a group.”
Fellow student Brittany Fisher proposed stricter enforcement to protect wolves kept as pets. “I’m a really big fan of wolves,” said Brittany, 11. “I actually found out a lot more about wolves.”