Ozark, Mo. -- On Wednesday, September 27, City Administrator Steve Childers took a proactive step in fostering civic education by visiting third graders at South Elementary School.
The conversation followed the classes’ lessons about government and focused on how things work in Ozark, including the role of the Board of Aldermen and the functioning of various city departments.
During the visit, Childers explained how decisions are made that impact the community, including how ordinances are created. The students had excellent ideas of what should be an ordinance in the City of Ozark. They showed particular interest in ordinances related to school. A popular one, for example, was no homework on Fridays. It is unclear how their teachers felt about that.
Childers also provided insights into the inner workings of different city departments, offering these young learners a glimpse into the daily operations that contribute to a well-functioning municipality.
A remarkable aspect of the session was the level of curiosity exhibited by the third graders. The children demonstrated their enthusiasm for learning about their local government by posing thoughtful and intelligent questions to City Administrator Childers.
This unique opportunity would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of the dedicated educators at South Elementary School and the broader school district. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the teachers who facilitated this enriching experience for their students and the city administration. Their commitment to providing a holistic education that goes beyond textbooks is commendable and greatly appreciated.
The engagement of the third graders and the thoughtful questions they posed reflect the potential for future community involvement and an opportunity to nurture informed and engaged citizens who will contribute to their community in the future.
The city administration looks forward to fostering more partnerships with schools in the community to continue educating young minds about their roles in local government.
