Tenney School teacher Sarah Calla’s eighth-grade civics class, Liberty, recently invited Mayor DJ Beauregard to speak with them about their ongoing civics project. The class is tackling an important real-world issue: the removal of old JVC CRT televisions from Methuen’s grammar schools. Their goal is to explore the best and most responsible ways to dispose of these outdated units. The students have been investigating several options including recycling, declaring the items as district surplus and environmentally friendly e-waste removal programs, all of which have a monetary component.
To guide their work, the class utilized an “hourglass” model. This structured approach led them from initial research and data collection to the development of professional presentations and the identification of key community partners. The students were thrilled when Mayor Beauregard accepted their invitation to meet Jan. 30 to discuss these findings. During his visit, the students shared their goals and asked thoughtful, informed questions that deepened their understanding of local government processes.
“The mayor was gracious with his time, providing valuable advice and answering questions that helped the students see the direct link between their research and civic action. This meeting served as a meaningful lesson in how citizens can actively participate in and influence their local government,” Calla said. “As their teacher, I could not be prouder of their progress. Every student contributed to this effort, whether they were conducting research, communicating with the Mayor’s Office or delivering the presentation itself. There is still work to be done as we revisit the presentation to make changes or add information as well as continue to research. This meeting is a boost to keep them focused and working towards the goal of television removal.”
