The Black and White

by Will McColl

Mr. Oaklund, a social studies teacher here at Pilgrim, proudly presents the return Pilgrim’s Model Legislature Club! What is Model Legislature? This club provides practice and prepares students to go and do a model legislative session at the Rhode Island State House in March, where students from different schools must propose, vote on bills, and debate on different legislations, while learning about different procedures and motions in that mock session. Each school has to write one bill on a topic of their choosing to try and be passed as a Rhode Island law. For example, it could be about pushing for a crackdown on littering or creating a bill for free dinners for all!

During meetings, students also talk about and learn about contemporary issues that help them better understand the civic system and apply that to real-life situations. Such contemporary issues include not only local but national ones too, for instance, the club has already learned and talked about the government shutdown that happened on the first of October.

 Mr. Oaklund said, “I think it is beneficial for the students because today is a very politically active world and there’s a lot of politics and political messaging. This is one way I think to constructively channel these kinds of energies into a kind of activity where you learn to work with other people, even people with different views. You learn to respectfully debate things, you learn how legislatures work, so I think it is a very positive program.” 

The club promotes critical thinking, conversational, and teambuilding skills that are deeply important, while having a great atmosphere. Mr. Oaklund also hopes to bring in some guest speakers for the club, too! Even though only one meeting has taken place so far, this club has much more to offer to the Pilgrim and Rhode Island community as a whole! All students are welcome to join and may meet many new people and make many connections. Thank you very much for starting up a new Model Legislature Club, and we hope all goes swimmingly during the model session in March!