logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
  • Sports
  • lifestyle
  • commentary
  • Obituaries
  • Calendar
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Form Submission / Advertise
    • advertisers pay now
    • News
    • Sports
    • lifestyle
    • commentary
    • Obituaries
    • Calendar
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Form Submission / Advertise
      • advertisers pay now
For the Children
commentary
August 17, 2023
For the Children
By JOE DORMAN CEO-OICA,

With the start of school, OICA turns to Kid Governor and Fall Forum

OKLAHOMA CITY – With the advent of the school year, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) now turns our attention to our fall programs. Our first major task is to provide support for our main direct service program, Kid Governor, in the state’s fifth grade classrooms.

This project, run nationally by the Connecticut Democracy Project, has state affiliates work with schools and educators to provide curriculum approved by the state’s education entities that helps the students understand civics and the importance of voting. Each of the lesson plans provides a different aspect for fifth grade students to help them learn about the role of elected officials and how citizens can be a part of government.

In addition, there is a supplemental part to the program, that if educators select to provide the lessons, students learn about how campaigns and elections work by holding a mock primary election in their classroom to select a nominee to run for the office of Kid Governor in each state. For those classrooms who do this extra portion, the winner of that race will record a two-minute video detailing an issue they would like to fix in their race.

The OICA Board of Directors and five of Oklahoma’s former governors of Oklahoma (or their designees) will review the videos and select the top seven finalists. From that, OICA prepares the videos for the classrooms to watch, and the students are provided ballots that look like the ones adult voters receive. The classrooms get voting kits that include ballot boxes, stickers, and a copy of the comic book published by OICA called Mighty Mia and Dyna-Bit Save Democracy.

This comic book details the adventures of two young superheroes working at the Oklahoma State Capitol to fill in for the pages who are sick one day, and they ensure that all the jobs are done while learning about government. The comic also has educational games in the back, along with a 500-word description of state government that was deemed age appropriate by curriculum officials with the state.

If you know a fifth grade student and you feel this would be a good thing for them to learn, please reach out to the child’s teacher and encourage them to review the program at https:// ok.kidgovernor.org/. Parents can also review the curriculum on the site. We are hoping to double the number of classrooms to more than 50 this year, which would reach more than 2,000 students across the state.

Our current Kid Governor Mila O’Brien has been remarkably busy as she has traveled around the state visiting with Oklahomans about youth mental health issues and promoting her program to provide sensory tools to classrooms in need. She spoke to our gala, the OICA Heroes Ball, and she also spoke to the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City’s breakfast gathering, along with Bricktown Rotary this past Monday. She also has spoken at the State Capitol to lawmakers and a city council meeting in her hometown of Enid, along with their local Rotary Club. We are immensely proud of the effort she and her family have put into this, and we expect to see some great candidates, with one taking the oath as the next Kid Governor in February 2024.

Additionally, OICA will also hold our annual policy conference, Fall Forum, at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Nov. 8-10, with a one-day virtual session on Nov. 3. If you are interested in learning more about helping OICA shape our legislative agenda, please go to https:// www.oica.org to sign up to attend.

54-53-1 Wildcats win!
Sports
54-53-1 Wildcats win!
September 21, 2023
54-53-1. Those numbers said it all Friday night as the Checotah Wildcats broke the tie against the Eufaula Ironheads during the 108th rivalry game with the final score of 54-27, winning back the McInt...
this is a test
Checotah Lady Wildcats cruise to 14-1 victory over Central
Sports
Checotah Lady Wildcats cruise to 14-1 victory over Central
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 21, 2023
The Checotah Lady Wildcats cruised to a 14-1 victory over Central to improve to 1013 overall. Checotah scored seven runs in the first inning after taking advantage of multiple errors by Central. Checo...
this is a test
Lady Knights edge out Eufaula 7-5
Sports
Lady Knights edge out Eufaula 7-5
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 21, 2023
The Henryetta Lady Knights edged out Eufaula on Thursday with a 7-5 victory.It was a pitching battle throughout the game. Eufaula scored first in the second inning when Jadence Efurd hit a fielder’s c...
this is a test
Eufaula Giant Draven Gragg receives multiple offers
Sports
Eufaula Giant Draven Gragg receives multiple offers
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 21, 2023
Eufaula senior football standout Draven Gragg has a big decision to make. The 6’4”, 270-pound giant has been outstanding at the linebacker and the lineman positions. Gragg has received offers from Uni...
this is a test
108th Meeting of Eufaula vs. Checotah
Sports
108th Meeting of Eufaula vs. Checotah
September 21, 2023
this is a test
News
Court Report
September 21, 2023
McIntosh County District Court ReportFelony CasesJeffrey Wayne Brinsfield: two counts of first degree rape by force or fear Amber Lee Metzker: trafficking in illegal drugs; bringing contraband (weapon...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Sooners calm Tulsa Hurricane
Sports
Sooners calm Tulsa Hurricane
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 21, 2023
The Oklahoma Sooners quickly separated themselves from the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in a 66-17 Saturday at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa. OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel had a huge day, averaging over 15 yards...
this is a test
Jerome Tiger Exhibition will be on display until Sept. 30
Sports
Jerome Tiger Exhibition will be on display until Sept. 30
September 21, 2023
this is a test
Sports
Fast start lifts Emporia State past RiverHawks
September 21, 2023
No. 12/11-ranked Emporia State (Kan.) scored on its first four possessions, all in the first quarter, and the Hornets cruised the rest of the way to a 38-0 win over Northeastern State on Saturday nigh...
this is a test
Sports
South Alabama dominates OSU Cowboys
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 21, 2023
The Oklahoma State Cowboys were dominated at home by a Sun Belt school that didn’t have a football program until 2009, and has only been in the FBS since 2012.South Alabama cruised to a 33-7 stomping ...
this is a test
Wildcats give praise to the Lord
Sports
Wildcats give praise to the Lord
September 21, 2023
The Eufaula versus Checotah football game is always known to be emotional and physical. Friday night Checotah cruised to a 54-27 victory to win the 108th meeting and now leads the series 54-53-1. As I...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy