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With September being National Constitution Month, Tyson Hansen and Superintendent Cade Douglas, both representing the Richfield Rotary Club, visited local schools Thursday, September 28 to pass out copies of the United States Constitution and a pamphlet entitled Why I Love America.
“The school district has partnered with the Rotary Club for the past several years to get copies of the Constitution into the hands of each student in grades 5, 8, and 11,” said Douglas. “These grades are a natural fit as they’re already studying United States history, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence as part of their curriculum.”
“We as a district are deliberate in teaching appropriate reverence of the flag, patriotism, and our freedoms,” he said. “Our goal is to flood our families and the homes of our students with the Constitution. I don’t think some in the community realize we do focus on the Constitution in our district. It’s a major priority for us. Each of our schools have an In God we Trust sign, our students say the pledge every day, we have Constitution Bees, and our patriotic programs are second to none. We invite community members to attend these programs and honor our local veterans, and they leave feeling our patriotic spirit.”
The Rotary Club has passed out copies of the Constitution in past years, but this is the first year the Why I Love America pamphlet has been added.
“This is an awesome booklet,” said Douglas. “It explains the history of America, how our freedoms are not free, that great sacrifices have been made for us, and information on our founding fathers. It’s basically a guidebook to the Constitution. It’s fun this year to be able to provide our students with copies of both, and the teachers will use them for a couple of weeks in their studies here in the classroom, then the students will be instructed to take them home and share the information they’ve learned with their families.”
He said he wants every student to know, and share with their families at home, that the United States Constitution is a miraculous document, and is a gift to Americans and the world. He acknowledged the purchase of these pamphlets is a significant investment for the Rotary Club, as there are 1,100 students within the district who will receive them, and he thanked them publicly for their donation.
“Public education is a great equalizer,” said Douglas. “We believe all men are created equal, and our students need to know that they can become anything. That’s what makes America great, and our Constitution describes this unique form of government that sets forth how we as a people govern ourselves. I hope every student takes the opportunity to study and ponder ways to support and defend our Constitution.”
He said he’s received several letters from concerned citizens wondering whether the Constitution is adequately and appropriately taught in the district, and he wants them to know that it is a priority. He also acknowledged national media stories portraying differing values, but stated the administrators, staff, and teachers in Sevier District share the belief in the importance of the Constitution, In God we Trust, and that the founding fathers were divinely inspired.
“In addition to the obvious reading, math, and science subjects, our priority is also to teach the Constitution,” he said. “We’re going to stay grounded.”
Rotary member Tyson Hansen shared a personal experience of when the importance of the United States Constitution was driven home to made him especially grateful to live in the United States. There was a time he’d driven out of the country on vacation with his family and he accidentally ran a stop sign in a crazy round about. He was pulled over and given the option to either appear in court or pay the policeman cash on the spot, which he did.
“Sometimes as citizens we take for granted the checks and balances in place and that the rule of law applies equally in our country, both for citizens and tourists,” he said. “It is important that our students understand the Constitution so if our freedoms and rights are challenged or ignored, we can point them out and nip them in the bud.”
Salina Elementary Principal Krahenbuhl expressed appreciation to the Rotary Club for their donation and said he’s grateful to the service group for their donation to the school and the timing couldn’t have been better, as there was a Constitution Reading that was livestreamed statewide, and fifth-grade students tuned in to the enjoyable and educational event.
“We’re grateful for the time and investment these groups pour into our school,” he said. “Their service enhances what we’re trying to do, which is teach and reinforce these important principles. It’s great timing too! The fifth graders enjoyed tuning into the Constitution reading just yesterday, and next week there’s a piece in their literature book about the founding fathers. Our teachers will use the pamphlets and information provided by the Rotary members to enhance their lessons.”
"Superintendent Douglas and Principal Blackner discuss happenings at Richfield High School. Superintendent Douglas gives a District update including ParentGuidance.org resources available and a reminder to recognize and celebrate School Principals Month. Principal Blackner shares highlights of RHS and discusses instructional, assessment, and grading improvements as well as the recent success of our Unified Soccer team competing in the state championship game."
SchoolBinder is a one-stop location for all communication between teachers/coaches and students/parents. It also provides a safe common location for school announcements, celebrations, and achievements. Parents and family friends can now easily access school happenings in one safe location.
Safely Connect, Collaborate and Celebrate on Schoolbinder!
In Sevier School District we are always striving to improve communication with our students, parents, and the community. We are excited to announce that we will be using SchoolBinder at all of our schools this year. SchoolBinder is a great new tool that anyone (including grandparents and family friends) can easily access from their phone. Certain departments within our high schools have been piloting this tool for over a year now. Please read the document for instructions to download the SchoolBinder app and sign up on your phone today to start following us. This tool will help you stay informed and up to date on all of the happenings in your child’s school. It is also the primary tool that your child's teacher or coach will be using to message you. Please click the link below for instructions.
Download the Schoolbinder App or visit Schoolbinder.com
Instructions
Click on Sign Up (email and password)
Click on “add or find your School”
Search for your School
Once located, Click on the + to add the School
Click on the “X” (from the app) on the upper left to exit and return to the main screen
Join your Messaging Group
Navigate to the 4th or Group Messaging column
Click on manage (bottom right)
Click on + next to your groups
(You will need approval from the Group Advisor to join the group)
After adding the desired groups, click (x) in the top left corner to return to the main page.
You will see “Pending” until approved by the Group Advisor
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schoolbinder/id1568411535
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schoolbinder.app
iphone Google Play
Schoolbinder Tutorial Video- Front End
https://share.vidyard.com/watch/z5HpAHrU7piUa1eMznbFZs
Recently I was made aware of a report produced by the University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. This report included a fact sheet that discussed the devastating learning loss observed in students throughout the country as a direct effect of the COVID pandemic.
The pandemic was one of the most difficult challenges of our time, not only within the education arena, but for our society as a whole. Those challenges were numerous and included fear, limitations in personal contact, restrictions on movement and travel, illnesses and changes in lifestyle, as well as political and societal polarization. . . just to name a few.
While student achievement data is only one of many variables that we monitor to help us measure the success of our work, it is a very important variable. According to the University of Utah study, learning loss differed significantly among schools and districts throughout the state and country. In English Language Arts grades 3-10, Sevier School District was one of only five school districts in the state of Utah that experienced growth in proficiency rates.
As I read the report and saw that our school district was listed as one of only five that showed growth in a time of universal decline, I had a feeling of tremendous appreciation for each of you. I thought of you and the sacrifices that you made, and continue to make, for our students and community. This also reaffirmed my belief that we truly have the BEST of the best people in the business! Your collaborative efforts, teamwork, and commitment to excellence to our children is inspirational.
Human connection is the key to our school system. While technology is a tool that can enhance instruction, it can never replace the magic of teaching that comes from human connection. The most essential component of our work occurs in the inspirational face-to-face moments between each of you and our students. COVID was especially painful on each of us because of our love and concern for our students. As difficult as it was juggling the challenges of social distancing, quarantining, and contact tracing, your efforts during this time paid off and our students have emerged from the pandemic with resilience.
THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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