Berlin Middle High School is applying Social Studies in a multitude of practical paths and is leading the way in many areas at Berlin CSD; receiving the Seal of Civic Readiness from the New York State Education Department is an excellent example of this.
There are so many great things happening here at BCSD, and this is just one of the many opportunities students have to be successful.
On December 4th, representatives from the NYSED Office of Standards and Instruction, Mr. David Frank, Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Partnerships, and Mr. Kevin Hetzel, Associate in Instructional Services, Social Studies, visited Berlin High School’s Government and Economics classroom to see the new Civic Seal program in action.
While here, Mr. Frank and Mr. Hetzel interviewed several groups of seniors about what they were doing and the actions they were taking in the community. These students were given an opportunity to share what they had been up to and make suggestions to shape the direction of the program going forward in New York State. Berlin CSD Superintendent Mr. Ken Rizzo was very impressed by the students’ engagement and the feedback they provided to the representatives.
“Their enthusiasm for helping to build this new Civic Seal pathway and create a program that will leave a legacy and foundation for future Mountaineers was inspiring,” shared Mr. Rizzo.
Berlin High School Social Studies teacher Mr. Erik Viner, who is taking the lead in creating the Civic Seal program at Berlin High School, was very proud of the way the Mountaineers represented their ideas and was energized by the support he is receiving from his colleagues, administration, and NYSED as he embarks on the Civic Seal of Readiness graduation pathway for Mountaineers.
“We’d like to thank the New York State Education Department representatives, Mr. Frank and Mr. Hetzel, for coming to see what Berlin has to offer, as well as thank Superintendent Mr. Rizzo, Principal Mr. David Bernsley, and Department Chair Mr. Robert Gould for their support,” said Mr. Viner.
Stay tuned to find out how Mountaineers will be engaging in civic-minded projects throughout our community as part of this new venture.
Go Mountaineers!!