SCUSD high school to showcase award-winning civics program
George Washington Carver School of Arts & Science is one of only 22 high schools statewide to win Civic Learning Award
May 28, 2013 (麻豆视频) 鈥� George Washington Carver School of Arts & Science will celebrate winning a statewide Civic Learning Award on Wednesday (May 29) with a showcase event featuring VIP speakers.
Carver is one of only 22 high schools in California to be honored for its civic learning programs. The Civic Learning Awards are co-sponsored by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. Winners were selected by a panel of experts based on the depth and breadth of their civic learning courses, clubs and/or programs.
Carver will receive its Award of Merit from Superior Court Judge Stacy Boulware Eurie, who presides over 麻豆视频鈥檚 Juvenile Court.
An innovative Waldorf-inspired small high school, Carver was
recognized for three distinctive projects that further the
learning of civics:
鈥� The Poverty Project, a unit within the 12th grade economics
curriculum that requires students to volunteer with an
organization that helps people in poverty. Students are also
required to interview someone affected by poverty and 鈥済ive
voice鈥� to their story. Students then reflect on their service
through artwork and writing.
鈥� The ReThinking Technology Club. Students worked to convert the
engine of a standard Porsche 914 sports car into an electric
engine. Members of the club bring the car to elementary and
middle school STEM (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics) events and provide information for younger students
on alternative energy sources.
鈥� Student Government Constitution. Students participate in
elections and practice democracy by discussing important issues
and creating initiatives to address those issues. Students also
hold 鈥渁ctions days鈥� on campus to urge others to become involved
in the school community.
Student work from these projects 鈥� including the Porsche 鈥� will
be on display on Wednesday, along with short dramatic pieces, art
and photography.
鈥淚 am extremely proud of our students and staff and their commitment to learning about the rights and duties that come with being a responsible citizen,鈥� said Principal Allegra Alessandri. 鈥淥ur guiding question to students at Carver is 鈥楬ow will you engage the world?鈥� An education rich in civic learning answers that question.鈥�
According to surveys by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only about a third of American adults can name all three branches of government, and a third can鈥檛 name any. Only 15 percent of adults can correctly identify the United States Chief Justice (John Roberts) but almost twice as many know Randy Jackson is an 鈥淎merican Idol鈥� judge.
鈥淜nowing about our democracy and about the role of the individual in society are keys to our future as a nation,鈥� says SCUSD Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. 鈥淭he work that staff and students are doing at Carver provides a great model for others.鈥�
VIPs who will be on hand to help Carver celebrate include 麻豆视频 County Office of Education Superintendent David Gordon, SCUSD Superintendent Jonathan Raymond, Rancho Cordova City Councilmember Donald Terry and SCUSD Board Members Christina Pritchett and Darrell Woo.
WHAT:
George Washington Carver鈥檚 Civic Learning Award
WHEN:
11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29
WHERE:
George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science
10101 Systems Parkway
麻豆视频, CA 95827