The Berlin Central School District’s New York State Seal of Civic Readiness program, approved for the 2025-2026 school year, has engaged high school seniors in Government and Economics classes in developing service-learning projects that target community needs. The program was recently featured on the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) website during Civic Learning Week, a time to recognize the important role education plays in sustaining our democracy. (https://www.nysed.gov/standards-instruction/march-12-2026-civic-voices-action)
The Berlin Middle High School’s successful implementation of the Civic Seal demonstrates the practical application of Social Studies. In December, NYSED representatives, Mr. David Frank and Mr. Kevin Hetzel, visited the Government and Economics classroom to observe the program. They interviewed seniors about their community actions, allowing students to offer feedback to shape the program’s future statewide. Superintendent Mr. Ken Rizzo praised the students’ civic awareness and engagement.
“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 is inspiring,” shared Mr. Rizzo.
Berlin Social Studies teacher and alumni Mr. Erik Viner, who led the program’s creation, was proud of the students and energized by the support from colleagues, administration, and NYSED.
Following the visit, students launched their civic projects. The “Seniors for Seniors” group, including Valentina Popov, Norah Smerdon, MacKenzie Lowell, and Emma Duncan, aims to bridge generations by assisting local senior citizens with yard work and miscellaneous tasks, fostering strong connections. They have hosted a trivia event and performed music at the Grafton Senior Center and offered volunteer hours helping senior citizens during winter with shoveling and spring clean-up, receiving gratitude for both the physical support and the genuine connections made.
“It is important to support our senior citizens because they are the generation we learn from,” shared the Seniors for Seniors group.
Another group, “Berlin Nerds 4 Birds,” spearheaded by senior Lillian vonSchilgen, focuses on local environmental impact. This school year the group hosted informational community gatherings at local libraries on bird protection and organized a community clean-up day, sharing information on environmental conservation.
Mr. Viner thanked the NYSED representatives for their visit and feature, as well as Superintendent Mr. Rizzo, BMHS Principal Bernsley, and Department Chair Mr. Robert Gould for their support.