Chipman Students Lead Civic Effort to Promote Pedestrian Safety

Students at Chipman Junior High School in the Bakersfield City School District are taking civic engagement into their own hands, partnering with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) and local leaders to raise awareness about pedestrian safety in their community. As part of their “Safer Streets Project,” Chipman students are developing a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) aimed at reducing distracted walking — particularly among students using cell phones while crossing the street. The project will culminate with a student presentation before the Bakersfield City Council on October 8.

The initiative began earlier this school year with a two-week traffic safety unit for all seventh graders, designed to engage students in a civics lesson that connects directly to their history curriculum. The work also aligns with the district’s goal of authentic project-based learning (PBL).

“It was a great opportunity to engage students in a civics lesson that everyone can relate to and aligns with our curriculum to examine roads, government, and infrastructure throughout the Middle Ages,” said Michael Hutson, Chipman history teacher and the driving force behind the project.

What started as a classroom unit has since evolved into an enrichment opportunity for the school’s GATE students. They have studied technical documents, consulted with experts, and explored the complexities of street design as part of their research. With KCSOS’s support, students have also developed an educational and outreach component, including the PSA and a proposal for age-appropriate traffic safety lessons for local schools. 

“The end goal is to make our streets safer but also to develop Portrait of a Graduate skills and competencies that will help our students and our community,” Hutson added.

KCSOS Chief of Staff Steve Sanders and Content Coordinator Zachary Safi helped connect Hutson’s class with the KCSOS Educational Television Network (KETN) to bring the PSA to life. KETN provided technical expertise during the shoot, while students took active roles in directing, filming, and operating professional equipment. They are now helping students edit the finished product. 

Safi emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader push by KCSOS to foster civic engagement among youth and support pathways to earning the State Seal of Civic Engagement.

Established by the California Department of Education, the Seal recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in civic learning, participate meaningfully in their communities, and show an understanding of democratic principles and processes. Students who meet the criteria receive a special insignia on their high school diploma and transcript.

“Kids don’t just magically become civically engaged in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade,” Safi said. “The more civic foundations they build early on, the better citizens they become.”

He added that the Chipman project is a model for meaningful student participation. 

“These students aren’t just learning about government and infrastructure — they’re applying that knowledge to solve real community challenges,” Safi said. “It’s exciting to see them take ownership of the work and use their voices to advocate for change.”

The students’ PSA and curriculum proposal will be shared publicly following their City Council presentation. Organizers hope the effort will spark broader conversations about traffic safety and inspire other schools to integrate civic engagement into classroom learning.

For more information about the State Seal of Civic Engagement program, contact Zachary Safi at 661-636-4240 or click HERE.