As part of the nationwide America’s Legislators Back to School Program, state Sen. Max Wise will be teaching civics and public service to a number of fifth-graders this month from across his district. Local journalists are invited to cover the events but are asked to call the schools in advance to make arrangements.

Wise, R-Campbellsville, taught at Taylor County Elementary School in Campbellsville on October 25. He was at Monticello Elementary School on October 26. And he was at Clinton County Middle School in Albany at 1:30 p.m. on October 26.

Kentucky lawmakers from both chambers and both sides of the aisle have a history of active participation in the program, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Each year, more than 15,000 Kentucky students from kindergarten through high school are reached through the professionally-designed curriculum, which is aimed at increasing students’ knowledge about history and government.

The program is non-partisan and non-political, instead giving students motivation to follow current events, gain a greater understanding of our system of representative government and use their own critical thinking skills.