Franklin County mayor announces countywide etiquette lessons for third graders and citizenship awards for fifth graders

County Mayor Chris Gess announced a new education partnership on his regular mayor's update, saying the mayor's office will visit every third-grade class in the county to deliver brief etiquette presentations.

"We're going to touch all the third grade classes. We'll be in all the third grade classes around the county," Gess said, adding the visits are slated to be completed "by the end of next week." The initiative, Gess said, was developed in collaboration with the school system and aims to reinforce manners and positive behavior.

The mayor framed the program as a chance for the mayor's office to interact directly with young students and to show the county's support for the public schools. "Number 1 is it lets the Mayor's office and me specifically interact with these young children," Gess said. He said the visits allow the county and school staff to work together on positive initiatives for youth.

Gess also said the mayor's office plans a second effort later in the school year: asking each elementary school principal and staff to nominate one student from every fifth-grade class to receive an American citizenship award. "We will be asking for a nominee from each fifth grade class from the elementary school principal and and staff, to be presented with an American citizenship award out of out of every class," he said.

The mayor described the measures as symbolic and community-focused rather than regulatory or budgetary. He thanked the Board of Education for being receptive to the idea and closed by urging cooperation between county and schools before wishing residents a safe weekend.

No votes, motions, or funding details were announced during the update. Gess said the mayor's office and staff will return to work Monday morning for Franklin County.