The student council at Deal Middle School wanted a shelter at one of their Metrobus stops. In the process, they learned valuable lessons on navigating bureaucracy and persuading our elected officials. And they won.
The Washington Post reports: [box]”[The] students collected data to bolster their case. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority says a bus stop must be used by at least 40 people a day to justify installing a bus shelter. The Deal students counted at least 100 each day at the Nebraska Avenue stop….”[/box]
And then: [box]”Clarence Jackson, an associate director at the D.C. Department of Transportation, testified in response to the students, explaining that the agency had studied the site and determined that the Deal students were right: It meets all of the criteria for a covered bus shelter.”[/box]
Which they’re to get in March.
We can all learn from what they accomplished by clearly defining a problem they wanted addressed, collecting data, and presenting their strong case.
So congratulations, Deal kids. And enjoy your snow day. You’ve earned it.
