Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Celebration Day at Great Hearts

“Knowledge about the ideas embodied in the Constitution and the ways in which it shapes our lives is not passed down from generation to generation through the gene pool; it must be learned anew by each generation.” -Sandra Day O’Connor

In 2018, then Arizona Governor Doug Ducey proclaimed September 25th to be Sandra Day O’Connor Day to commemorate the day that the Arizonan made history when she was sworn in as the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. Students in Great Hearts academies across Arizona spent the day participating in special civics lessons and events.

“Civics education is a central part of our curriculum as we work daily to help our young scholars develop into citizens who will contribute to a more just, philosophical, and humane society,” said Mac Esau, Executive Director of Upper Schools. “We look forward to honoring Sandra Day O’Connor on this day and helping our students have even greater appreciation for this work.”

Headmaster Zack Withers said that Great Hearts Anthem celebrated civics by studying works by Martin Luther King Jr. “Our entire high school will read and discuss his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” while all our middle schoolers watch the recording of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, followed by discussion. We anticipate fruitful discussions because our students have been studying the life and thought of Socrates, St. Paul, St. Augustine, and the Founding Fathers, whose lives and works strongly influences Martin Luther King Jr.”

Veritas Preparatory Academy will not be in session on September 25^th, but Headmaster Theresa Weiland said the academy will observe the day when they return on Tuesday. “As this Arizona initiative aims to honor Justice O’Connor’s commitment to public service and civic engagement among Arizonan children, our students will read and reflect on a commencement speech given by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. In addition, teachers will help students reflect on what it means to participate well in a classroom community as we continue to cultivate minds and hearts in our daily pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.” Weiland is asking that parents take a few minutes on Tuesday evening to ask your student about the Justice O’Connor speech and how civic engagement can be practiced in the classroom.

It’s also Spirit Week at Veritas Prep and in conjunction with Civics Day, Tuesday is Arizona Day to demonstrate their love for the state. Students may wear any Arizona related shirts & socks (sports teams, history, colleges, cities, state/national parks in Arizona, flora & fauna, and the 5 C’s).

“Glendale Prep high school students spent the day in a Civics Symposium together as a student body,” said Headmaster Kyle Navarrette. Students heard an introductory address by Dr. Karen Taliaferro, professor in Arizona State University’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. “Prior to the event, over the weekend all 9th-12th grade students read various articles.”

During the Symposium at Glendale Prep, students broke off into groups for a seminar to discuss questions that derived from readings. Following their seminar, Dr. Taliaferro provided the keynote address and a student-led Q&A session.

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