Commemorating Constitution Day/Week in Citrus County Schools

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert, district administrators, and classroom teachers helped hand out pocket Constitutions to our middle and high school students.

Every year, on September 17th, begins something special in Citrus County Schools, as well as in educational institutions across Florida and our United States. It’s a day of reflection and celebration, a day when we come together to honor the cornerstone of our nation’s democratic republic—the U.S. Constitution.

Constitution Day marks the anniversary of the formation and signing of this remarkable document by thirty-nine courageous men in Philadelphia on September 17th, 1787. It’s a day that reminds us of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers to establish the principles and framework upon which our great nation was built.

Throughout Constitution Day and the accompanying Constitution Week, our students in Citrus County Schools engage in a diverse range of activities, blending both instruction and celebration. As someone deeply involved in our education system, I find immense pleasure in visiting our schools during this time. It’s heartwarming to witness the dedication of our teachers and the enthusiasm of our students as they delve into the history, significance, and intricacies of our Constitution.

One particularly heartening aspect of our Constitution Day celebrations is the generosity of Maureen ‘Mo’ Baird, Citrus County Supervisor of Elections. Thanks to her kindness, our middle and high school students receive their very own pocket Constitutions. It’s a tangible reminder of the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert, as well as our teachers and other district administrators, for their efforts in ensuring that these pocket Constitutions reach our students.

The significance of Constitution Day is not limited to our local observance; it’s enshrined in national law. In 2004, the U.S. Congress passed legislation designating September 17th as Constitution Day throughout the nation. This law also mandates that public schools dedicate a minimum of three hours to instruction on the U.S. Constitution during the last full week of classes in September.

In accordance with this, our Citrus School instructional calendar designates this week as Founders Month and Constitution Week. This year, the celebrations span from Monday, September 18th, to Friday, September 22nd, 2023, ensuring that our students gain a deeper understanding of the document that serves as the bedrock of our democracy.

Constitution Day is not just a day to mark on the calendar; it’s an opportunity to instill in our youth a profound appreciation for the principles and values upon which our nation was founded. It’s a day that reminds us all of our duty to uphold and protect the freedoms and rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that they endure for generations to come.

Comments Off on Commemorating Constitution Day/Week in Citrus County Schools
Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates