CALABASAS : Students to Visit City Officials on the Job

Eighth-graders from three area schools will get a first-hand look this month at how a city government operates as part of the city of Calabasas’ first-ever Youth Government Day.

Thirty students from A.E. Wright, Viewpoint and Meadow Oaks schools will split into groups Feb. 16 to spend the morning with various Calabasas officials as they go about their daily tasks.

“We study government at all levels in school, but not so much municipal government,” said Mark Newman, principal of Meadow Oaks Junior High. “We want to give students a sense about how it works, and maybe inspire them to become involved in their own municipalities.”

Three students will be assigned to each of 10 officials, including Calabasas Mayor Karyn Foley and City Manager Charles Cate, city officials said.

Newman said that for his students, the field trip will supplement a course called Law and Free Society. As part of the course, he said, students take a trip to Washington, D.C., each spring to observe the federal government in action.

In the Calabasas event, the day begins with students assembling at City Hall at 8:30 a.m., according to city officials. Students will be given an orientation on the role and duties of city government. Then they will split into groups to spend the morning with the officials. They reunite at noon for lunch and discussion.

Newman said most of the students who were selected for the Youth in Government Day program have served on student councils and expressed an interest in law and politics.

“The idea is in line with our school’s philosophy, which is to involve students with their own education to provide hands-on experience,” he said.