QBP RICHARDS LAUNCHES “CIVICS IN THE CLASSROOM” STUDENT ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE

(November 16, 2021 at 1:20pm)

QUEENS, NY – Young people have gotten involved in their communities and the political process in record numbers in recent years, but there is still much work to be done to properly engage our youngest Queens residents. To do just that, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. today announced the launch of “Civics in the Classroom” — a boroughwide initiative to supplement existing curriculum by connecting with high school students across the borough about the importance of civic engagement.

“The youngest among us are courageously leading nationwide movements around systemic discrimination, gun violence, voting rights, climate change and more, giving us all so much hope for the future of our society. But there are still far too many young people who are unaware of their power or unsure of their place in our city,” said Borough President RICHARDS. “With ‘Civics in the Classroom,’ we hope to not only educate our students about civic engagement but empower them to be the changemakers our city and country need.”

Led by Borough President Richards’ Civic Engagement Coordinator Tim Chubinidze, “Civics in the Classroom” will visit one Queens high school each week and include interactive presentations and quizzes about the roles of local and citywide elected officials’ offices, how to address quality-of-life issues through city government and the significance of civic involvement.

The initiative kicked off this morning, November 16, at Bayside High School. Borough President Richards and school principal Tracy Martinez hosted an engaging discussion with hundreds of students about the importance of voting, being involved in one’s community and much more. Click here for photos.

School administrators who would like more information or wish to participate in Borough President Richards’ ‘Civics in the Classroom’ initiative can do so by contacting Tim Chubinidze via [email protected].

In addition to “Civics in the Classroom,” which will continue after NYC Schools’ Thanksgiving recess, Borough President Richards’ Civic Engagement Committee, made up of dozens of community stakeholders, has been active throughout 2021. On behalf of the Borough President, the Committee has sponsored various public-facing events such as three separate Ranked Choice Voting Training sessions this spring and a Virtual Redistricting Town Hall this fall, as well as regular tabling appearances across Queens to meet with borough residents in their own communities.

Follow the Office of the Queens Borough President via @QnsBPRichards on Twitter and @QueensBPRichards on Facebook and Instagram

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