Public schools required to observe Constitution Day

A new federal law will add to teachers' lesson plans later this month in a move designed to better educate children about the U.S. Constitution.

The law, enacted by Congress last year, requires public schools to observe Sept. 17 as Constitution Day. The date marks the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

But the extent of such observances varies from school to school, local educators say.

Since Sept. 17 falls on a Saturday this year, most schools plan to have special programs or classroom activities during the preceding week.

State education officials, along with the Missouri Bar Association, encourage teachers and school districts to develop creative ways of teaching students about the cornerstone of American government.

Missouri education commissioner D. Kent King likes the new law.

"We have long celebrated the importance of the Declaration of Independence with a national holiday on July 4. It is fitting that we devote time during the school year for students of all ages to learn more about the Constitution and its role in our history," King said.

In the Cape Girardeau School District, it's the job of principals and teachers to comply with the law, local school officials said.

In schools like Clippard Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, the responsibility will fall on teachers to educate their students about the Constitution.

Principal Sydney Herbst said elementary school children can't be expected to understand the specifics of the Constitution. "A lot of it is just more patriotism," she said.

But at Franklin Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, Constitution Day excites principal Rhonda Dunham.

"I do think it is important," she said. "We need to know what drives our government, what drives our everyday lives."

Said Dunham, "We take it for granted too many times."

A school constitution

It's important for students to understand the right to free speech and other constitutional rights, she said.

Teachers will educate their students about the Constitution throughout the week of Sept. 12, but the school-wide focus will take place on Sept. 16.

Students will create and sign a school constitution.

"Every classroom will be able to write an article of the constitution," Dunham said.

At Cape Girardeau Central High School, students and staff will highlight the U.S. Constitution as part of "The September Project," which remembers the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The event will be held this Sept. 11, Patriots' Day, at 2 p.m. in the high school library.

It will feature a video clip from two Central High School alumni -- Barbara Nunnelly Adler, class of 1967, and Hollis Headrick, class of 1968 -- who live and work in New York City. They will recount the devastation that occurred in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in the terrorist attack.

State Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau and a Central graduate, will read the Bill of Rights and share his perspective on the Constitution.

Guests will enter the high school through an avenue of flags.

At the end of the program, students and other guests will be encouraged to register to vote and write letters to America's soldiers.

Central High School librarian Julia Jorgensen isn't thrilled about Congress mandating school curriculum.

The Constitution is a regular part of the Central High School curriculum. "We do a very good job of teaching it and it is a requirement for graduation," she said.

State law requires high school students to pass a test on the Constitution in order to graduate.

School officials said the new federal law may draw increased attention to the Constitution, but it won't change the fact that teachers already educate their students about the document.

Said Jorgensen, "I feel we have already surpassed the letter of the law."

mbliss@semissourian.com

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