'They can sense the tension in our society': Rep. Summer Lee speaks to Gateway 5th graders, tours renovated facility

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee didn’t mince words Tuesday afternoon when a Gateway Middle School student asked the Swissvale Democrat what Congress’ biggest challenge is right now.

“Can I be honest?” Lee said. “The president.”

Lee, D-Swissvale, spoke with Gateway’s fifth grade class about her career path, achieving goals and the inner workings of the federal government before opening the floor to student questions.

As Republican President Donald Trump aims to make good on campaign promises in his first weeks in office, Lee said it is important for the fifth graders to hear about the role Congress plays in government decisions.

“(The students) are at a point in their lives where they see things, they see the news, they hear about what’s happening around them,” Lee said. “They are perceptive. They can see things. They can sense the tension in our society as well as anyone else can.

“When they ask questions about my job, when they ask questions about their government, their representative, they deserve honesty. And to be frank, if you are not honest with them, you lose their trust.”

Lee represents about 755,000 people living in Allegheny and Westmoreland County communities, including Monroeville. She toured the newly renovated middle school Tuesday before speaking with students.

Lee weighs in on Trump policies

In Lee’s eyes, there is no time like the present for students to learn about how their government works.

“They don’t get to vote, but … their perspective is no less important,” she said. “They experience the impacts of our policy decisions every single day. They should be a part of shaping them.”

Public K-12 education has been a particular focus of several of Trump’s recent executive orders — such as barring transgender athletes from girls’ sports and removing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts from schools.

He also has pitched dismantling the Department of Education.

“It’s not unintentional that they are attacking first education, that they’re attacking first the marginalized communities — creating an ‘us’ versus ‘them.’ Those are not incidental,” she said. “These are a repetition of history, of the past that we’ve seen.”

Middle school launches speaker series

Lee is among several who have visited the district’s fifth grade students as part of a speaker series launched in the fall.

Organizer Marcie Crow, who teaches fifth grade English and social studies, got the idea for the series several years ago.

It was made possible this academic year by the renovated middle school’s auditorium and the fifth grade students’ intervention block — a class period before lunch where students can receive help on lessons or work on projects.

Tony Moio of Moio’s Bakery on Route 22, Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock and former NFL wide receiver Deon Butler have participated in the speaker series, Crow said.

“(The students) really receive what the people are telling them, and they like to ask questions and get excited about it,” Crow said. “I have been overwhelmed by the response. This is more than I ever imagined it would be.”

The series has provided opportunities the district’s students might not otherwise have, Crow said.

“When you look at this building, you think that we’re very fortunate — and we are — to have this beautiful new building,” she said. “But 49% of our students are free and reduced lunch; 3% of our students are homeless.

“So there’s a lot that our students don’t get to experience, and so a lot of the people who do come in, they wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to a lot of the time.”

The middle school, which opened its doors in August after a three-year, multi-million dollar project, consolidated the district’s approximately 1,000 students in grades five through eight under one roof.