The program aims to help students who have to move throughout the school year get extra academic experiences.
The students spent a day at the St. Lawrence County Courthouse, meeting with Assemblywoman Jenne and other elected officials and getting a first-hand look at the county legislative chambers and courtrooms.
It provided an opportunity for the students to meet with their elected officials and learn about potential careers in government.
"I encouraged the students to think about issues they are concerned about and to work for change in their communities. I reminded them they were old enough to work to get things done, to make a difference, and urged them to volunteer with organizations that are doing good work," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
Mark Ruddy, an adolescent outreach advocate with the North Country Migrant Education Program, said 80 percent of the students in the program move at least once each academic year.
He said the program advocates for students and their families, offers academic support for students including a summer academy and works to help make sure the students are college and/or career ready.
Mr. Ruddy noted the students also had an opportunity to meet with District Attorney Gary Pasqua and a representative from the St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department.
The visit was meant to give students an opportunity to learn about different careers in government and interact with local officials.
"The students were taken when they learned that Addie's background was relatable to their own,' he said, referring to the assemblywoman's deep family ties to farming over the seven generations they have lived in the North Country. "All of the kids in this program have some connection to agriculture."
Assemblywoman Jenne fielded a number of questions from the students, ranging from the background needed to become a member of the state Assembly to current issues facing the agricultural industry in the state.
Students also had questions about bullying in schools, backpack programs and safety regulations for all-terrain vehicle users.
"The students had some good questions that were tied to their own personal experiences. One student didn't appreciate laws that require students to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or driving an ATV. Other students wanted to talk about bullying in schools. Their concerns generated some great discussion," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She shared the challenges her own family faced when her mother returned to college and then went to law school while raising her five children.
Assemblywoman Jenne said her mother's decisions demonstrated the importance of education to her children, while her father's effort to work as many hours as possible to meet his family's needs during those years was a reminder of the sacrifices and work ethic necessary to make dreams come true.
"I wanted them to know that despite the challenges they face having to move from school to school frequently as their parents move from job to job - a situation not unlike the experiences of family members of soldiers stationed at Fort Drum and many North Country residents living in poverty - they still have an opportunity to live the American dream," she said.
"I wanted them to know it may be a little more difficult due to their frequent moves but a strong work ethic, a willingness to get involved in their school communities and the personal strength to follow their dreams can push them through any barriers that stand in their way," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
Mr. Ruddy said the session with the assemblywoman gave the students exposure to an elected official serving in the state Legislature and an opportunity to discover they had shared experiences.
"We appreciate Addie coming to meet with us and helping us put together such a great opportunity for our kids," he noted.
SUNY Potsdam hosts the North Country Migrant Education Program, which has been in existence for over three decades and is funded through a federal grant program.
The program’s mission is to ensure that high-quality, coordinated, efficient and comprehensive educational and advocacy services are provided to all eligible school-age migrant students.
The program serves students and their families in St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, and Franklin counties.
The program’s goals are to ensure that all eligible students reach challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma (or its equivalency), and/or gain life skills as well as career education services and, to the extent possible, successfully complete vocational instruction to college occupational programs.
The goal of the migrant education program is to fill the gaps for these students and create a level playing field educationally.
The North Country Migrant Education Program offers a multitude of opportunities ranging from home-based pre-school/school readiness instruction to adolescent programs.
The in-school programs include school-year tutoring as well as participation in summer experiences including STEM and ELA learning in a small -group atmosphere.
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Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently spoke to students in the North Country Migrant Education Program.
