Miller Middle School Students Propose a "New 'New Deal'" to Local Officials

The "New 'New Deal'" project, now in its second year, challenges students to identify hardships within their community and develop practical solutions, and is inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's original New Deal approach. Students presented proposals addressing issues ranging from affordable housing shortages to childcare accessibility.

"By having students identify the hardships they see in their community, it led them to working on an issue they knew and many were passionate about," explained Social Studies teacher Christopher Thomas, who spearheaded the project alongside colleagues Max Gruner and Tony Davis. "I believe that the students' ideas had a great impact because they were able to share them with our representatives that have the power to make changes locally."

The event featured strong representation from local government, including county legislators, Board of Education members, representatives from the District Attorney's Office, and Kingston Mayor Steve Noble. Several officials noted they were impressed by the students' insights, with some acknowledging they had encountered perspectives on issues they hadn't previously considered.

"This project does a great job of showing our students how important it is to have their voice heard and be involved in our government," Thomas added.

The "New 'New Deal'" project serves as the students' middle school capstone project for their Civic Seal of Readiness program, which they will continue developing throughout high school.