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Our friend, Sandy Nafis
the government come alive for the students. The third-graders of Elizabeth She makes Greene Elementary school were able them realize to participate in the workings of the our government state government last month during is all about the a field trip to the state Capitol and a people.” subsequent meeting with state Rep. “If [students] Sandy Nafis, who visited the school understand at a to discuss the children’s findings and young age that hear their ideas for improving the their voice matstate law. The students were given ters, when they the chance to tell Nafis their ideas get older and for improvements they think should are able to vote be made to the state government. they will be “It’s great. It’s one of the parts of more involved. my role in the legislature that I really H o p e f u l l y , love,” said Nafis. The meeting pulls that will carry together the students’ year long study through and of Connecticut, which focuses on they will con- State Rep. Sandy Nafis speaks with third-graders at Elizabeth Greene Elementary School about how an idea can turn into a law. the history and government of the tinue to stay state through literature and class- involved,” Nafis room discussions. “[Sandy] always said. During the follow up meet- on the desk of the governor. finds time for us,” said third-grade ing Dec. 23, Nafis reiterated to the Some students’ ideas for new laws teacher Susan Helal. “I think it is just students how a proposed bill passes ranged from no homework and a wonderful because the kids are actu- through a committee and through shorter school day, which brought ally meeting a legislator. It makes the House and Senate before landing cheers of approval, and laws that say you can’t play video games on the weekends, to recycling and the environmental concerns. The students Free Volume 51, No. 50 Friday, January 7, 2011 were also concerned about the lack of seatbelts in school buses. The issue that concerned the largest portion of the students was smoking and drinking. Many students were The third-graders present their ideas for new laws to state Rep. Sandy Nafis. very adamant about enacting stricter laws on alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Nafis said.“They have the power with- Capitol as possible, she said, to deliver “The real power in each and every in themselves. I really try to encourage her message of government involveone of those choices lies in you,” said them to understand that while we can ment and intelligent life decisions. Nafis. “I can pass lots and lots of make a lot of laws they have the power “Sandy Nafis she has been comlaws but ultimately you have to make to make good choices.” ing here for many, many years to those good choices.” This isn’t the first year Nafis has do this with us,” said Helal, “almost “One of the messages I always try met with the students of Elizabeth right after she was first elected. She to give them is they have the opportu- Greene Elementary. She tries to reach always meets our children ... It’s very nity themselves to make good choices,” as many of the students who go to the cute and very well done.” By Alex Syphers Staff Writer