Charter School Kicks off Constitution Week

Most people know that July 4 commemorates our country’s independence from Great Britain. But how many Americans know what historical event occurred on Sept. 17, 1787?

Students at Roseville’s newest charter school, , know it’s the day the U.S. Constitution was signed. The entire school
observed the historic occasion Friday and will continue to celebrate through Sept. 23 as part of National Constitution Week, declared by President George W.Bush in 2002.

The week kicked off with a school assembly that included a visit from Congressman Tom McClintock who spoke to an audience of sixth- through 10th-grade students about the purpose of government.

“Our Constitution was put into place to protect our freedom,” he said.

McClintock told the students that people have debated for years about the balancing act government must do to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens without becoming such a force that it “bosses us around.”

McClintock’s advice to the academy’s preteens and teenagers was to get involved. Communicate your ideas to others and make sure to keep the principles of our Founding Fathers in place, he said.

Academy 10th-grader Emily Griffin said she understands the value of the Constitution.

“It’s an important part of our culture and history,” she said. “We need to learn all about it.”

Teaching students about the meaning of the Constitution is all part of the school’s mission of “restoring America's heritage by developing servant-leaders,” said school Principal Nathan Rose.

“Our plan is for each student to memorize the Constitution Preamble,” he said. “We all need to know what the Constitution says. Throughout
next week students will be involved with all types of activities related to this document.”

Rose said the school’s philosophy is that anyone can be a leader, no matter what type of career or life they lead. 

“If we expose children to this thought at an early age, we can develop leaders in everyone, no matter what their field,” he said.

One way Rose said the school plans to accomplish this is with a mentoring program that has been established for the academy’s sixth- through 10th-grade students.  Students are able to select mentors who have expertise in areas of the arts, business, science or politics to work with for a 10-week period. During this time, students are responsible for reading a classic book as well as developing a service project related to the mentors’ expertise and students’ area of interest.  After 10 weeks, students can select another area of interest with another mentor and start the process again.

Tenth-grader Stephen Savage said he’s been enjoying reading classic books so far.

“Right now I’m reading ‘The Prince,’” he said. “It’s interesting. Classics are not like the everyday, normal books we all usually read. I like it."

For more information about John Adams Academy visit
www.johnadamsacademy.com.