This Monday, September 17, 2012, marks the 225th anniversary of the US Constitution. Each year, the United States celebrates Constitution Day (even Constitution Week), when we take time to honor, and to consider the importance of the document that does not give us our rights (as many incorrectly think), but puts words to paper that protect our rights, as well as establishing our remarkable form of government.
Now, many of us actually do take time to study and understand the Constitution, but it is clear that today’s youth do not have a working understanding, much less an appreciation of the document – part of this fault lies with parents, part of it with our schools.
Most people do not realize that any school that accepts federal funds (and let’s acknowledge that most do, these days) must implement some form of Constitution Day program or lesson:
[Federal Register: May 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 99)]
The Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement announces that, pursuant to legislation passed by Congress, educational institutions receiving Federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year. This notice implements this provision as it applies to educational institutions receiving Federal funding from the Department.
So, when you consider the importance of the day tomorrow, perhaps you could send off a note to the Superintendent or Principal of your local school district, reminding them of the day, and the fact that they are compelled by the US Department of Education to express the importance to the children of this great country.
As a tax payer, proud veteran, and parent, I sent such a letter to my children’s High School Principal, asking her to implement some form of Constitution awareness and appreciation tomorrow, regardless of what the US DOE says, and I plan to follow up for confirmation of it.
Dear Principal _________,
You may be aware that the anniversary of the US Constitution is coming up, this Monday, September 17, 2012. You may also know that, in 2005, the Department of Education provided a “Notice of Implementation of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 of Each Year”.
http://www2.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2005-2/052405b.html
SUMMARY: The Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement announces that, pursuant to legislation passed by Congress, educational institutions receiving Federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year. This notice implements this provision as it applies to educational institutions receiving Federal funding from the Department.
I found this site and thought it could be helpful for Constitution Day. I’m assuming since many schools participate in Earth Day celebrations, our district would also be focusing on Constitution Day (http://www.constitutionday.cc/). There’s an online quiz on the home page that could be beneficial for academic purposes.
Could you please confirm that an appreciation of US Constitution is on the agenda for Monday, and that it will be parlayed to the students? If not, I hope you will consider making this part of the school day in the very near future.
Our Constitution is a very important part of our lives, codifying the protection of our invaluable freedoms, and setting up our distinct form of government. Based on the referenced legislation, the US Department of Education feels the same way.
Thanks for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing back from you on this.
[Your Signature]
H/T: Ann Marie Banfeld.
