More than 30 Cherry Hill high school juniors have been invited to Town Hall this Wednesday for a hands-on look at local government this Wednesday during Student Government Day.
This annual tradition has, for more than 20 years, given student leaders a chance to explore the way our form of government works and meet the Mayor, members of Council, while working alongside Township administrators and professionals to craft policies addressing real-life issues faced by the municipality.
This year's participants will be tasked with reviewing the Township's "Roadmap to Our Future” – the municipal sustainability plan adopted in 2016 – and asked to craft policies aimed at encouraging the use of alternative transportation throughout Cherry Hill, as well as increasing awareness of the Roadmap throughout Cherry Hill.
The goal is to engage the students to create usable solutions that can be implemented by the Township moving forward – for example, by identifying ways to encourage residents to walk or bike to the Sustainable Cherry Hill Earth Festival this spring.
Students will work at Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, then return for a mock Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m. where they will present, debate and vote on new policies they’ve developed.
“Student Government Day started as a way to introduce local government to high school students,” said Mayor Chuck Cahn. “It has evolved into an interactive opportunity for students to work with Township staff and professionals, offer valuable insight into community concerns, and discuss topics that reflect real challenges we face within Town Hall. Our hope is that students attain a better understanding of the realities of running local government.”
Members of the public are welcome to attend the evening's mock Council meeting to hear the students' presentations and ask questions.