Lowell Middle School teacher, Kathy Monteiro and her team, will create lesson plans to teach students about County government for two weeks in April. The final week, April 28th through May 3rd, County officials will work directly with students to showcase County programs and illustrate the County's role in the community.
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, District 5, was instrumental in enlisting this partnership with Lowell Middle School, in her downtown Phoenix district. She says, "It's important for our youth to understand County government and how it affects their lives. They will become the decision-makers in our community. This partnership with Lowell School is something we plan to continue and expand to other schools."
The following are Maricopa County departments/projects which will be highlighted: Air Quality, Arizona Meth Project, Juvenile Courts, Human Services Campus, and Elections - see schedule and details of programs on next page.
The goal of this program is to:
- Educate young students on services Maricopa County provides
- Increase awareness of general county government
- Highlight current issues that are affecting the county
Maricopa County looks to continue the program on an annual basis expanding to additional schools.
Schedule of Presentations
Monday, April 28, 2008
9:00-10:00AM- Lowell Middle School, 1121 S. 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Agency/Program: Elections Department
Subjects: Importance of voting, what voter registration means, elected officials, elections office
Program: Kids register to vote, cast ballet with voting machine, see results of election
County Participants: Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County Supervisor and Karen Osborne, Director of Elections
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
9:30-12:15- Downtown Court facility, 201 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Agency/Program: Courts, Juvenile Probation and Public Defender
Subject: Drug Court, Juvenile court and Probation
Program: Students will visit, attorneys will explain process, and the students will watch a trial
County Participants: Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and Rodney Hammonds, Juvenile Defender
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
9:00-10:10/11:30-12:30- Lowell Middle School, 1121 S. 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Agency/Program: Human Services Campus
Subject: Causes of homelessness, what the Human Services Campus does
Program: Students will learn about homelessness, the Human Service Campus, and hear directly from clients who are currently homeless
County Participants: Nancy Gerlach, Program Manager for the Loadstar Day Resource Center and Client using Resource Center services
Thursday, May 1, 2008
9:10-10:10/11:30-12:30- Lowell Middle School, 1121 S. 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Agency/Program: Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Running out of Air campaign
Subjects: Explain PM-10, how dirty air can affect people, what can be done to reduce PM -10
Program: Present air filters and other scientific displays to assist in examining air pollution problem, give away outreach materials related to campaign
County Participants: Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and Holly Ward, Air Quality Community and Media Relations Manager
Friday, May 2, 2008
9:10-10:10/11-12:00- Lowell Middle School, 1121 S. 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Agency/Program: Arizona Meth Project
Subjects: The harm of Meth use, what goes into Meth, the Arizona Meth Project media campaign.
Program: Bring air filters and other scientific materials to classroom to examine problems, give away outreach materials
County Participants: Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and Rich Rosky from the Office of National Drug Control Policy