Generation+Citizen

=Generation Citizen:=

Generation Citizen teaches teenagers direct political action. Through an innovative in-class curriculum, students work with local leaders to fix local problems.

Over the course of the twice-weekly semester-long in-class program, students choose an issue they want to tackle in their own community, develop a focused, strategic plan to address an issue they care about, and then take real action on it. Students lobby elected officials, write opinion pieces for newspapers, and make documentaries to advance solutions to important community issues. Through direct engagement in real-world advocacy, guided by near-peer college Democracy Coaches and teachers, students gain the civic knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to effect change in their communities.

Each semester culminates in Civics Day, in which student representatives from classes in each city present their work to other students, community members, and public officials, celebrating their work and gaining feedback to further their efforts. Civics Day is a chance for students to celebrate their success and explore ways to continue their civic engagement after the end of the program.

=Summer Internship Program:= Generation Citizen recently announced that it was starting a new summer internship for Middle School and High School students and a number of students from the Salemwood School. The program will place selected students into a local: political campaign, community organization, or government agency. Participating students will have the opportunity to make a difference in their community, receive valuable experience, and get paid for their participation. __**Applications need to be submitted to me by March 21.**__



Congratulations to Arsema and Taylor for being selected as interns!
This years 8th grade class took home a prize at this year's Civics Day. They are currently working on creating a peer mentoring program at the Salemwood School in order to address issues related to teenage violence and drug abuse, and bullying.

After reaching out to several organizations, students were put in touch with Nate Baum from the Mass Mentoring Partnership. Mr. Baum was impressed with the students idea and was willing and eager to help; however he needed more information about the students plans. In preparation for civics day and to provide the people at Mass Mentors with more information about their project, willing students voiced their thoughts on why the program is needed, and why they want to participate. Other students worked on creating posters for display at Generation Citizen's Civics Day at the State House in Boston.

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**This years 8th Grade Class took home a prize at Boston's Civics Day for their plan to create a peer mentoring program here at the Salemwood Middle School.**


On April 2 Nate Baum from the Mass Mentoring Partnership came to the Salemwood school to lead a session of Mentoring Training for students in the 8th Grade. In addition to training, Nate brought students guidance and resources to work with in finalizing their program plans.



In addition to receiving training, students received news that the Salemwood Peer Mentor's application for Affiliate Membership with the Mass Mentoring Partnership had officially been accepted. As affliate members, the Salemwood Peer Mentors receive access to Mentor Referrals, and match activities**.** Affiliate level programs are eligible to access match activity tickets (such as for Mentoring Night at Fenway, Patriots “Match of the Game,” Celtics games, Revolution soccer tickets etc.) and special opportunities connected to match activity events as they become available.

