It’s been more than four years since Gov. Charlie Baker put his signature on “Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement,” legislation that requires the state to strengthen civics education requirements by mandating that American history, social sciences and civics be taught in public schools.
Subject matter includes information on the state and U.S. constitutions, the Declaration of Independence, local history and government, the branches of government, the United States flag, and disenfranchised voter populations.
The law also specified that our schools implement student-led civics projects for students in eighth grade and high school, with the intent of encouraging youngsters to work with public officials to learn how their government works.
This bill also created a Civics Project Trust Fund, which is used to assist Massachusetts communities with implementing history and civics education state requirements, particularly in underserved communities.
In addition, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the secretary of the commonwealth, will work to form a non-partisan high school voter challenge program to raise awareness for eligible students to register or pre-register to vote.
In one local community, members of a Senior Girl Scout troop have taken that civic engagement a step further, from theory to practice, in an attempt — as that civics law encouraged — to learn how their government works.
When Tyngsboro’s newly formed Sherburne Road Open Space Committee convenes, it will be joined by several associate members, all belonging to Senior Troop 68085.
They’ll be bringing their leadership skills to the table during “visioning” sessions on future amenities for 30 acres once part of the Tyngsboro Country Club.
Troop leader Dara Fedderson will be a voting member on the largely novice committee, but the Scouts, all Tyngsboro High School sophomores, will have a voice throughout the process. The tentative timeline for the committee’s work is 12 months.
The land is a gift to the town from the Toll Brothers Building Co. The nationally known residential developers acquired the golf course for the construction of 55-plus housing on the parcel.
The site includes the property between Sherburne Road and Pawtucket Boulevard, which is the committee’s focus.
The Scouts recently spoke about what they hope to gain from the experience. While there’s been talk of a pickle ball court and an outdoor fitness court, these teens want to see as much land as possible remain open space.
Troop member Sophia Edwards said, “I want to be more involved in the community, to help out more. If I stay here after college, I want a nice place for my kids to go.”
Lily Wood said she wants to make the town a better place by making it more accessible, while for Sandra Jacob, accessibility has a personal meaning. “I have a very good friend with cerebral palsy. I see the obstacles she faces, and I want a place where she can feel comfortable.
Because this Scout troop created the annual Tyngsboro Hikes event, it’s likely walking trails will be part of the plan.
Other Scouts serving as associate members include Frannie Casey, Sedona Fedderson, Katelyn Fugazzotto, Makayla Hughes, Anna Poulios, Trinidad Silva, Jenna Trischitta and Beth Hughes, as well as Troop Co-leader Barbara Varnum.
“This is great for the girls. It’s something where they can get in on the ground floor and that will be around for generations,” Fedderson told the Select Board.
She explained these Scouts can now work towards their Gold Award, which is a project each Scout takes on by recruiting volunteers, raising funds and managing the work to completion.
She hopes some Gold Award projects come from their work on the Sherburne Road Open Space Committee.
While Select Board Chair Ron Keohane, Finance Committee member Ed Smith and Recreation Director Allison Page add a knowledge of how municipal government functions, we don’t expect either first-time committee members or the Girl Scout associates on the panel to defer to the professionals.
Our democracy thrives on engagement and withers with apathy.
We congratulate these Scouts for taking the participatory path.
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