Collins Middle School Eighth Grade Scholars Petition for Youth Employment Assistance for 14-15 Year-Olds
The Collins Middle School eighth grade students of Ms. Kate Jahl continue to be advocates for change.
On May 14, Ms. Jahl’s eighth grade scholars presented their civic action project: a petition to the Salem City Council addressing youth employment. Over the last eight months, with the coaching of SPS Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement Laura Assade and Ward 5 Representative Lydia King, their project addressed the issue of employment for 14-15 year-olds. Through research, they found employment assistance for youths aged 16 and older, and asked for assistance to be expanded to younger workers.
The students created a petition which collected 140 signatures. They received additional community support through the public comment segment of the meeting when a resident called in to suggest a partnership between the Council on Aging and City Hall to foster connections between work needs from elders in the community (raking, snow shoveling, odd jobs) and youth seeking neighborhood work.
The petition was accepted by the council and written into the record.
At the Salem School Committee meeting May 11, eighth grade scholars in another of Ms. Jahl’s civic action classes presented their civic action project: an appeal for an increase in funding for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), which has already gone to the Massachusetts House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee.
