Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm recently got some advice for improving Austin from some of the community’s younger residents.

Third-grade English language learners in Laura Ackerwold’s class at Southgate Elementary School recently sent Stiehm letters on their ideas for improving Austin. After receiving the letters, Stiehm wrote back and offered to visit the class, which he did Thursday afternoon.

“These students have limited English proficiency, and this was an authentic opportunity to give them a sense of empowerment within their community,” Ackerwold wrote in an email to the Herald. “They took much pride in voicing their opinions, and they were very excited for the mayor to hear their thoughts and concerns.”

Along with discussing their ideas, Stiehm also chatted with the class and took questions about his time as mayor and with the Austin Police Department.

Southgate third-grade English language learners’ suggestions for improving Austin:

• “I think my community needs a company that helps people with medical problems. It will look like a truck with experiments, scientists, and dogs for people who are scared. I think people have trouble with medical bills. I want to see less people with cancer.”

• “I think my community needs a zoo. Kids will learn about animals so they learn a lot of information. I feel that kids if they have a animals test at school they will know the answers.”

• “I believe Austin needs food for the poor. People send boxes full of food and then a food truck to deliver the food to the poor. I think this is important because lots of kids get sick. I know because it has happened to me.”

• “I think that Austin needs a program for antibullying.”

• “I think we should have a benefit for cancer in Austin. This benefit is a concert for everyone who has cancer in our town. Many people don’t have families that take care of them. People end up in the hospital and the benefit will help them live longer.”

• “I think Austin needs a big gigantic shelter for the poor people. Each family has a room. That’s why I want a big shelter. They can stay there while they get a home, a place to work at, and get money. Some people do not have any food, water, or money. Their kids can go to school if there is a shelter. Lots of kids don’t learn the full information because they have to move to a different school. Many people live outside in the street..”

• “I believe Austin needs more fishing ponds in the parks…When I drive in my car in the summer, I do not see people at the parks. The second reason is so families can spend time together and talk together…Another reason is so people can catch their own fish if they don’t have money. When I go to the store I see people having trouble in the store buying groceries.”

• “I believe Austin needs one big free daycare. For the parents that have no money for daycare, there is at least one free daycare. Most of the daycares in Austin need money for their child every week…If the parent has a baby with nobody to take care of him or her, then the parent can go to work and the baby is getting taken care of.”

• “I believe our community needs a safer skate park…I want to go to the skate park but I don’t trust it.”