Throughout the school year, more than 100 seventh-grade students in John Kern's language arts class at Mandarin Middle spent time writing letters to business, community and government leaders seeking answers to topics important to them, including violence, gun control, athletics and environmental issues.
Students researched their issues, and found factual data and expert opinions to support their claims. They then proposed a solution for the "problem."
Once research was complete, the students prepared professional business letters and mailed them to someone in society who they thought could do something, such as President Obama, the commissioner of the NFL, Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, and the Department of Highway Safety.
Student Mackenzie G. wanted a local apartment complex to begin a recycling program, and sent her letter to the manager. Soon after, Mackenzie found out that the apartment complex sent a flyer to all the residents to let them know there were recycling opportunities available.
“I appreciate that they listened to me without dismissing me as a kid,” she said. “Just because I’m one person doesn’t mean I can’t change something.”
Another student, Samuel S., felt that the NFL’s overtime rule should be changed and sent his letter to the commissioner of the NFL. Samuel received a response saying that they are already reviewing the overtime rule and will be taking his opinion into consideration.
More than half of the students received a response, and the letters were used to create a book entitled To Whom It May Concern – Volume III: Together We Can Change the World, which was distributed to every student who participated. The book, paid for by the School Advisory Council, was designed by the students and recently presented to them during a special assembly.
Teacher John Kern has been doing writing projects like this for several years, often changing the theme. In the past, his students have studied the history of Jacksonville’s military and researched the Springfield area, to name a few.
Kern says he developed the project to encourage students to get involved and let their voice be heard.
“Students should have political and community awareness, and realize their opinions are important,” he said. “They should be active participants in our society and not allow others to always make decisions for them.”
Kern hopes that this project will have a lasting impact.
“I want my students to understand that they can make a difference. They can touch a countless number of lives and make a major impact on the world if they continue to make their voice heard.”
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