Third-graders visit Hoffman Estates village hall

On Monday, April 8, three classes of third-grade students from Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School in Hoffman Estates attended a field trip to Hoffman Estates village hall, 1900 Hassell Road, to learn about the services provided by municipal government.

The Whiteley students are currently studying local government as part of their curriculum, and the trip to village hall gave them a firsthand opportunity to interact with village officials and staff.

Students were welcomed by Mayor William D. McLeod, and then attended breakout sessions with the fire, police, public works and General Government departments. After each department presentation, students enjoyed asking representatives questions about their department’s roles and responsibilities.

“The students were able to make connections between what they have been learning in the classroom and the real people and places in the community in which they live,” said teacher Amber Danielczyk. “It was nice for them to see how village hall, public works, police and fire are all interconnected. The students were able to learn ways to become involved in their community, even at the age of 8 and 9.”

To help further the connection between the classroom and real life, village staff developed a work sheet that incorporated key concepts from each breakout session and classroom lessons.

“Bringing students in for an event like this instills in them the importance of being an informed and engaged citizen from an early age,” said McLeod. “One of our goals is to raise a generation of citizens that understands and values the services provided by their local government.”

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