For nearly a decade, the Government Teachers of Bloomfield Hills High School have worked with the Township to provide their students with a tour of the Township. The students spend time with the Elected Officials, the Police Department, Fire Department, the Department of Public Works, and more. They learn about the services provided by the Township and meet some of the people who provide these critical services. The students consistently report that this is one of their favorite lessons of the year. Besides the popularity, why do the teachers utilize class time and why does the Township staff agree to plan and implement a meaningful tour? In one word: Civics.
During each 90-minute tour we do something to advance the notion enunciated by President Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address: “...that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Students see that local government exemplifies President Lincoln’s idea: Local people engaged locally to provide critical services for the local people. Services such as protecting democracy by operating accurate and secure elections, protecting public health by providing clean water and effective collection and treatment of waste, and protection of the people and their property through responsible policing and responsive paramedic and firefighting services.
Our tours will be worth every minute if we inspire just one student to serve their community as a member of local, state, or national government. More good people are always needed.
-Martin Brook
As printed in the Winter 2026 edition of the Living in Bloomfield newsletter.