Congressman George Latimer Visits WDS !

Our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students had an amazing opportunity to meet with Congressman George Latimer at WDS right before the Pesach break!  George Latimer is a representative that truly cares about our community and the future.  He shared how he has directly influenced our local, county, state and now federal policies and legislation.  Congressman Latimer shared his personal journey and explained how his interest in public service began.  He emphasized the value of education and staying informed as well as the importance of standing up for what one believes in.  Congressman Latimer also shared his moving experience while visiting Israel soon after the October 7th attacks.  

Congressman Latimer truly brought the government and history units from Ms. Roode’s Social Studies classes to life!  The 6th graders have studied the origins of democracy in Ancient Greece and the influence of the Roman republic on the US government.  The 7th graders completed a comprehensive study of the Constitution in addition to learning about the roles of federal, state, county and local government.  The 8th graders recently learned about grassroot movements and the government’s role in the Civil Rights Movement as well as the Vietnam War and Nixon Administration which were all mentioned by Latimer as he shared how these historical times shaped his views on government, his personal beliefs and his desire to run for office.

One of the most exciting parts of the visit was the interactive Q & A session.  Students had the chance to ask Congressman Latimer questions about his role-models and inspirations, his work in Congress and the House Foreign Affairs Committee and his connections to Westchester County.  Latimer graciously stayed after the presentation to shake hands, connect with our students and teachers and he even briefly talked about favorite sports teams with a few of our students and signed autographs.  The students were very excited to be able to personally connect with Congressman Latimer.  We are very grateful that Congressman George Latimer took time from his busy schedule to visit with us.  

It is very important for our students to understand how they can contribute to society, and Congressman Latimer has provided them with valuable insights into the democratic process. The students gained much more than a glimpse into the life of a congressman- they received a powerful lesson in civic duty that will resonate for years to come.