Generation citizen is an organization that encourages and empowers the youth to become engaged citizens. From campaigns of lowering the legal voting age to hosting civics day, generation citizen gives young people a platform to have their voices be heard and help make their communities a better place. It’s a program that has grown in the past few years and now is present in the eastern coast as well as the Bay area in California.
Every Year Malden High’s U.S. History I class’ students use Generation Citizen to address issues that are present throughout the Malden community. Students this year are campaigning for topics ranging from pool renovations to improving the Wi-Fi at the school. One particularly ambitious project is that of U.S History teacher Rebecca Corcoran’s period four class. The class hopes to institute a school day that helps students address all the stress and depression that comes with being a high-school student.
Freshman Matt DiStefano believes that “Almost all high school students experience the stress that comes with all the work and extracurricular that inevitably piles up.” “(They) have researched other high schools that already have a wellness day system implemented and (they) were influenced to implement something similar” DiStefano added. The class plans to create a wellness day system at Malden High School that will help every student learn more about how to deal with difficult situations in their lives.
Here is how the class plans to enact a wellness day at the high school:
- Survey students on what they would need help on or learn about during wellness day.
- Make a petition in support of a wellness day.
- Meet with adjustment and guidance counselors.
- Meet with stakeholders like Mr. Brown, Superintendent Dr. Derussi, and Mayor Christenson.
- Analyse survey results in order to decide the events or stations on wellness day.
- Contact experts to volunteer and present.
- Fundraising
- Advertise using social media.
- Plan the spacing as well as everything else needed for the event.
