Brush up on the preamble and the amendments, kids!
Last Friday, students of all levels nationwide took part in the first ever Constitution Day.
Federal legislation passed in December of 2004 states that any school that receives federal funding must offer the teaching of the U.S. Constitution on September 17 of each year.
Since the 17th was a Saturday, Director of Curriculum Jim Schwarz said it took place on the 16th.
He said the teaching of the U.S. Constitution is already in Oxford’s curriculum, but this special day was more of a celebration of the document.
‘We celebrate the Fourth of July, but we don’t celebrate anything about the birth of the actual Constitution,? he said.
The push for this new legislation came from Senator Robert Byrd, of West Virginia.
‘His whole purpose in lobbying for this legislature is to make sure that our young people are not forgetting about our freedoms and what we stand for,? Schwarz said.
His whole premise was that students today are not as knowledgeable or respectful towards the Constitution.?
According to his website, Sen. Byrd carries a copy of the Constitution wherever he goes.
‘I refer to it and study its provisions every day,? he said.
Byrd said that no one in our country in 1787 was completely confident that the new nation would ‘survive and flourish.?
‘The Framers saw to it that we inherited a plan for government that provided important checks and balances against the corrupting influences that power can often bring,? Byrd’s website says.
On Friday, schools in Oxford celebrated the Constitution in different ways.
At the elementary level, teachers read stories and picture books to teach children about our freedoms and individual rights.
Students at Leonard Elementary constructed a picture with writings on what the Constitution means to them. They created their own class constitutions with school rules, like being quiet in the hall and no talking back.
‘It means you have to be nice to people,? said Jacob Ankley.
Jennifer Clemens? combined first and second grade class sang ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee? after the Pledge of Allegiance and gave their opinions on what the Constitution means to them.
‘It means to follow the laws,? said Tristan Spencer.
At Oxford High School, principal Mike Schweig announced over the P.A. why it is important to be educated about the Constitution.
‘We have no tribal council, nor can we vote anybody off the island. But, we do live in the land of the free, and as long as the Constitution stands, we always will,? he said.
At different times on Friday, Oakland Schools aired a program via satellite about the Constitution and how it came to be and teachers were urged to discuss the preamble with students.
Byrd’s message about the Constitution on his website says that to preserve the Constitution, we must be willing to make it an active part of our lives.
‘Each generation is charged with protecting and defending the Constitution at home and abroad, in peace and in war,? Byrd said. ‘Freedom never has come easy. This is the challenge facing each new generation of Americans.?