June 9, 2025 Submitted by Friends of Old Ship Meeting House
Civics comes alive for the Third Graders of the Hingham Public Schools. The 2025 Third Grade Mock Town Meeting will take place at the historic Old Ship Meeting House:
- 9:15 a.m. Monday, June 9th for Plymouth River and Foster Elementary Schools third graders;
- 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10th for East and South Elementary Schools third graders.
Beginning in June 2023, Hingham third graders have participated in an annual Mock Town Meeting at Old Ship Meeting House, where in 1682 Hingham Town Meeting was first held. The program generates significant engagement by the third graders in learning about how citizens can take a direct role in making decisions that can improve aspects of the town of Hingham.
Third grade Mock Town Meeting is hosted by the Friends of Old Ship Meeting House under the leadership of the Friends board member and former Hingham elementary school teacher Bev Vernon and Mary Eastwood, former Principal of and teacher at South Elementary School. In preparation for their Mock Town Meeting, third grade classes have worked with Hingham elementary school writing specialist Monica Matthews to first select topics and then write a total of 14 warrant articles. The students also have prepared arguments pro and con—just like the process Hingham follows for our real Open Town Meeting. Hingham Town Moderator Michael Puzo welcomed the opportunity to review the 3rd graders’ warrant articles and help the students follow Town Meeting procedures. Puzo commented: ”This is a wonderful opportunity for Hingham’s third graders to take part in a mock town meeting and to prepare for the day – not so far distant – when they will have voice and vote at the “real thing”.
Laura Falvey, a third-grade teacher at Plymouth River Elementary School and a Hingham resident said, “It is a pleasure to guide our students in thinking about how they can make a difference in their town and in the lives of others. Students benefit from learning to write and think about issues that relate to our town. The experience of voting in the Old Ship Meeting House like the founders of town makes this experience that more meaningful.”
This year’s warrant proposes improvements to the Bathing Beach and the skatepark. One article requests funding to build a sports complex in the shipyard. There are also articles that pertain to improvements of playground areas.
Joining the third graders for their legislative immersion, along with Town Moderator Michael Puzo, who will officiate, are members of our Massachusetts State House delegation, Hingham’s Select Board, Hingham’s School Committee, and school administrators. Members of the League of Women Voters of Hingham are volunteering as ushers for the event. Following each day’s Mock Town Meeting, the Hingham Historical Society will bring the third-grade classes to the Hingham Heritage Museum and the Benjamin Lincoln House.
Hingham’s Third Grade Mock Town Meeting will begin at 9:15 AM on June 9 and 9:30 on June 10. The event is open to the public but seating is limited as preference will be given to family members of third grade students. Harbor Media will record both days of the Mock Town Meeting for later posting on their YouTube channel and airing on Hingham’s community cable TV. To learn more about the Friends of Old Ship Meeting House: www.oldshipfriends.org.