ABCs - City Departments
|
There are many departments that make up a city government. These departments are necessary to operate the city and to provide services to its citizens. Not all cities provide the same services or have the same departments. The services, and ultimately the structure of the city government, are decided upon primarily by the residents of the city.
Some of the most common city departments are:
Utilities - provides water and wastewater treatment (a few city departments provide other utilities like electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses).
Public Works - provides for garbage pickup, traffic lights, streets and road maintenance, and city building maintenance.
Planning - implements plans for the future growth and development of the city.
Finance - prepares payments for running the city, invests city revenues and handles the budget.
Parks and Recreation - provides recreational programs and activities for residents, such as sports, arts and crafts, and special events; staff also maintain city facilities, parks and playgrounds.
Police - makes sure that all laws are obeyed; keeps citizens safe and protects their property. Many police departments have programs/staff in schools to help students, such as the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, Officer Friendly and school resource officers.
Fire - provides fire protection to the community; also has fire prevention programs to make people aware of fire hazards and teach what to do in a fire emergency.
Other city departments might include: library, building inspection, engineering, technology services, code enforcement, and animal control.
|
Student Activities
2nd Grade
Students can brainstorm about what kinds of services they think they receive from the city. What departments do they think provide these services? How often do they use them?
Resource people from different departments can come and talk with the students about the services that are provided by the city.
Students can make posters, write reports, and/or make presentations about the city services they use.
3rd Grade
Students can perform the brainstorming activity as described in 2nd grade (see above). Discussion can be furthered by including the topic of how these services are paid for.
Students can research how services were developed through history.
Resource speakers from city departments can speak to the class.
4th Grade
Students can research what city services were available in Colonial times through the1880s, comparing services of “olden times” with current available services.
Begin introducing problem-solving situations. For example, in the event of floods, fire and weather-related damage, what would your city do?
5th Grade
Students can take field trips to city service facilities.
Students can obtain an organizational chart from their city. Review the various departments and services of the city with the students.
Student Questions:
1. Have you participated in any recreation programs offered by the city? Which ones?
2. Does the police department offer any programs, such as DARE, in your school?
3. What other city services do you and your family use?
4. Why do you think the city provides services to its residents? Who pays for these city services?
5. What future services do you think your city will provide for its citizens?
Back to Top
|
| ABCs Home | A History of Cities | What Is a City? | Governing Body - Who Runs City Hall? |
| Appointed City Officials | How Citizens Participate in City Government | City Revenues, Expenditures and Budgets | Social Studies Education in Florida |
|
