OKLAHOMA CITY – On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) partnered with the Foster Care Association of Oklahoma (FCAO) to hold a backto- school bash for more than 350 foster youth and caregivers.
The event was held at Wheeler Park in Oklahoma City, and multiple partner organizations provided resource information for families. Thanks to a generous donor, OICA sponsored the music supplied by the Rockin’ Roly Polys, a kid’s rock band, and dinner was provided by Dado’s Pizza.
We also thank the Oklahoma City Fire Department, longstanding supporters of foster care assistance programs, for being present to visit with the youth and should anyone become overheated. FCAO stepped in when one of the normal annual events could not occur, and I will say it went flawlessly thanks to their hard work.
For OICA, this event signals the beginning of the school year but truly plans started for families weeks ago.
The first weekend of August saw the statewide sales tax holiday for shoppers. This legislation was authored by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, now with OICA, nearly two decades ago. Due to budget restrictions, this was limited to specific clothes items, matching the Texas sales tax holiday. There is discussion that this might expand to athletic equipment and school supplies, so please reach out to your own lawmakers if you feel this would benefit families.
More recent legislation will also impact students as the “bell to bell, no cell” law goes into effect this year. With certain exceptions dealing with health issues, this law prevents students from having their mobile devices on them during school hours. After this first year, schools will be able to adapt policies which best fit their school district as determined by the own local school board.
In addition, State Superintendent Ryan Walters expressed his desire for school meals to be offered at no cost to students, along with an end to the school standardized testing required under state and federal law. Though not policy yet, for testing, he has submitted a waiver request to the federal government to eliminate this requirement. Both policies must also be addressed by the Legislature for amending laws relating to each, along with necessary funding allocations.
The most exciting part of the school year for OICA directly is the kick-off of our annual Kid Governor program. This is a project for which OICA is the state affiliate of this nationally based program. Free curriculum approved by the State Department of Education is provided to 5th grade teachers for lesson plans about state government. The role of elected officials is a highlight, as is the importance of voting when the students turn 18. The program also encourages civility in resolving policy disagreements.
Teachers can opt into an enhanced program that allows them to hold a classroom election, with the winner in each class competing statewide for the office of Kid Governor. The winner is selected by votes from the students going through the program, showing them how voting with ballots works. The Kid Governor and cabinet members speak to civic organizations and work with lawmakers to see ideas they promote possibly become law. Go to https:// ok.kidgovernor.org/ to learn more about the program.
Additionally, OICA has partnered with Oklahoma 4-H to hold an “Oklahoma 4-H Junior Governor” program, a one-day civicsbased conference with students who range from 4th to 6th grades. Check with your county 4-H extension leader for how your 4-Her can participate or contact Cathleen Taylor at cathleen. taylor@okstate.edu for more information.
We hope you will share this information with your local 5th grade teachers and 4-H leaders as we want to see these young Oklahomans are prepared to hold an elective office someday, with possibly even a future governor inspired by this!
