Foxboro eighth-graders present civics action projects on recycling, start times and mental-health outreach

Eighth-grade students at Hearn Middle School presented a series of civics action projects at the May 27 Foxboro School Committee meeting, describing research, outreach and concrete next steps.

Mr. Gil, the grade‑8 civics teacher, introduced the student presentations and said the action-project unit gives students experience working with local officials and community partners. "Civics is lived," he said, framing the evening as student-driven problem solving.

Ella urged the district to increase collections of used paper by arranging more frequent pickups by the company that already shreds legal documents, arguing the change could divert significant paper from the waste stream. Veronia and Kenzie summarized evidence linking later school start times with improved sleep and academic performance and identified transportation scheduling and after-school activities as obstacles to implementation.

Other groups presented projects on mental-health awareness, social‑media impacts, homelessness, high health-care costs, and vaping prevention. Students reported concrete outreach: posters around town, contact with state legislative offices, a website with advocacy resources, and attempts to work with the district and local officials on transportation and health‑access concerns.

The committee did not take action on any of the student proposals; members listened and thanked students for their work. Several committee members encouraged continuation of outreach and noted the projects’ value in building civic skills.

The district’s next steps are student-led: presenters said they will continue awareness campaigns and follow up with administrators and community partners to pursue the initiatives showcased tonight.