Valwood second graders paid a visit to the Valdosta Municipal Court, on Feb. 20, to serve as the jury in a case involving their teachers—Jennifer Rasmussen and Debbie Nijem—who were on trial for fictitiously stealing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a candy bar, respectively. 

Valdosta Municipal Court Judge Vernita Bender and her staff educated the students about the judicial process and about the consequences of poor decisions.  The students were allowed to ask questions of the teachers and their witnesses to help them make the decision as to whether their teachers were guilty or innocent.  Within an hour, the teachers were found guilty by the student jury for taking something that did not belong to them.  The teachers’ punishment?...snacks for the students of both classes next week.

In addition to learning about the judicial system, the students also planted a Drake Elm tree at the Municipal Court in observance of Georgia Arbor Day, before visiting the Valdosta Fire Department to learn about fire safety. 

Educational events such as these teach local youth about government services and good citizenship.  For more information, contact the city’s Public Information Office at (229) 259-3548.