Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
District Judge Derek Weimer talks to third grade students about what goes on inside the district courtroom on Monday as part of North Elementary's walking tour of Sidney.
Sidney Electric Superintendent Mike Palmer teaches Karen Clark's third grade class about the role his department plays in the community.
North Elementary third grade students took a walking tour to various locations in downtown Sidney on Monday as part of their social studies class.
Third grade teacher Karen Clark teamed up with City of Sidney Human Resources Director Jo Houser to organize the walking tour. Clark said that in years past, the Sidney city manager came to the school for a presentation, but this year they decided to do something different.
"We began making contact for this at the beginning of April. Jo Houser helped put it together, deciding what the students would find most interesting," Clark said.
Clark said that state standards for third grade emphasize local government, economy, geography, culture, community events and community history.
"This is an opportunity for students to have a firsthand experience meeting some of the people responsible for serving Sidney and Cheyenne County," she said.
The students' tour began at the Cheyenne County courthouse, visiting the treasurer, dispatch, emergency management and Sheriff's offices as well as the district courtroom. The students learned how each office ran and the part they played in making the community work.
At the city offices, the students got to see and explore various city equipment, including a police car and firetruck, while stopping and learning about each department before continuing on to the next. Students met with city employees and volunteers from the electric, water, street, parks, pool and landfill departments, police officers, firefighters and City Manager Ed Sadler.
Students ended the day with lunch, tours and stories at the Sidney Public Library.
"It is great for the Students to find out that there is 200 miles of pipe under the street, or how much trash is generated," Clark said. "They learn what it takes to live in their house that they may take for granted."
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