Each week our students participate in Learning Outside the Classroom, a hallmark of the University School approach to learning. Students participate in 30+ field trips a year to experience everything from an artistic performance to touring a landfill, and visiting a religious place of worship to participating in a community service project. These outings provide our students the opportunity to link what they learn in the classroom with real world experiences, and they help our students become more engaged citizens in our community. This week’s reflection was written by Kate Paczkowski about her experience at the Mount Pleasant Mayoral Candidate Forum on October 4 at the town’s Senior Center.

We had a fun time at the Mt. Pleasant Mayoral Candidate Forum. It was really special when we got to meet the mayor, Linda Page, and candidate Will Haynie. This is one of the cool things about USL. If you are interested in something, the school will take you to it, even though you may be missing math or reading. I really learned a lot on this trip. Even though I am too young to vote, I know all of the information and know who I would vote for. Now that I saw the candidates for myself, I know a lot about their platforms and the election, and that is far more valuble than anything the Internet or a textbook could tell you.