On Thursday, October 27, RCS High School hosted a Civics Day with our local community partners. Students had the chance to visit during their physical education and lunch periods. The day hosted 14 different departments from various public service organizations that are local, state, and nationwide, including local fire departments, the FBI, and much more.
The event was put together with the intent to provide our students with educational information about the opportunities, both career, and volunteer, that are available to them through public service organizations. Tying into our district values of community, collaboration, and participation, students got to connect on a personal level with organizations that they may encounter in their daily lives. They were able to ask questions, review materials, sign-up to volunteer, and get some hands-on experience.
Albany County Sheriffs had their training trailer for students to walk through, with the assistance of Selkirk Fire Assistant Chief Tom Neri, to learn about how our firefighters operate while in an emergency fire situation. Albany County Sheriffs Stop DWI also provided beer goggles, and the Ravena Fire Department had gear for students to try on. SUNY Cobleskill and Columbia-Greene Community College were also in attendance to speak with students about the different public service programs they offer, including health service and paramedic programs. These were just a few of the stations set up for students to visit!
“The students had many wonderful, real-life experiences, in several community civics-based careers,” said Curriculum Content Specialist for Business, FACS, Library & Technology, and Certified Work-Based Learning Coordinator Maureen Martin, who helped organize this event. “The presenters had a great time with our students and had meaningful experiences talking to and educating them about their personal career paths and the many public service career and volunteer opportunities that exist.”
This day served as a reminder of the important needs of any local community. We must work together to keep each other safe and supported. Many of the individuals who came with their organization are either RCS staff or attended RCS themselves, showing students how they were in their shoes at one point and that their opportunities are endless. They spoke with students about their unique career experiences and how they got to be where they are today, reminding them that no two roads are the same for any individual and that forming these connections now can be extremely beneficial to career exploration and planning.
A big thank you again to our civic community partners for coming out and sharing their services and insight with our students!!
Albany County Sheriff's - Emergency Medical Services, Airport Security, Dispatch, K9 Unit, Corrections, & Stop DWI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Ravena Fire Department
Selkirk Fire Department
US Navy
Homeland Security
Columbia Greene Community College - Health Services Program
SUNY Cobleskill - Paramedic Program
View more photos from the day here!
