First Selectwoman Jen Tooker Reads Proclamation for Civic Learning Week, Engages With Students in Staples Town Hall
Press ReleaseOn Monday, March 6, Westport’s Board of Selectwomen visited Staples to celebrate the start of Civic Learning Week. The goal of the nationwide week is to empower students with the tools to become active, civically engaged members of their community.
At the event, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker read the Proclamation to declare Civic Learning Week in Westport from March 6th-10th. Then, in a Town Hall moderated by Staples seniors Scarlett Siegel and Spencer Yim, Tooker and her fellow Selectwomen, Andrea Moore and Candice Savin, answered questions from students. Topics ranged from the structure of the town’s government to the Board’s efforts to address sustainability, traffic, and other policy areas.
Members of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society assisted with the event. Lauren Francese, Social Studies Coordinator, stated, "Staples students asked great questions and really enjoyed learning about public service. It's a great opportunity to see civics in action, especially in a local context. When students have these opportunities, they make meaningful connections to the civics knowledge and skills that they're developing in the classroom." Additional events for students will be held on Thursday and Friday with guest speakers from the Registrar of Voters and Board of Education.