Social Studies Teachers and the Judiciary: Partners in Civics Programs

I just finished speaking at the 21st Law and Citizenship Conference sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, and WOW, they did it again!

It was great speaking with social studies teachers from across the state about the judicial system and what Ohio’s courts can do to help students learn about their responsibilities as citizens.

I explained how teachers and the judiciary can be partners in civics programs. I also told the elementary, middle and high school teachers about iCivics.org , a national program designed to inspire students through interactive civic education. It’s a super way for students to have fun learning through interactive on-line games and lessons.

Justice Terrence O’Donnell also attended the OCLRE conference and spoke about the differences between interpreting and making law. And, a special congratulations to Justice Robert Cupp and his wife, Libby, who received the prestigious Founders’ Award given for significant contributions to the growth of law-related education.

What a fine way to celebrate the weekend that memorializes the signing of our U.S. Constitution!

Please comment if you have any questions for me about the courts or iCivics.org.

Chief Justice to Greet First Field Trip of the Season at Ohio Judicial Center

Each school year, thousands of students from around the state tour the Supreme Court.

We will welcome our first field trip of the year on Tuesday when 25 students from Hathaway Brown (an all-girls school in Shaker Heights) visit. Not only will they tour the Visitor Education Center, but they will sit in the courtroom and listen to a case being argued before the seven Justices of the Supreme Court.

But best of all, Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor will talk to and answer questions from the girls. Please look for a blog post later this week with photos and a video of their discussion.

Students and teachers: If you have any questions before or after your visit to the Supreme Court, please post them here on the blog, and we will get you an answer ASAP.

Grant applications due Sept. 15

Teachers – We know that field trips may be in danger of being crossed off your lists this year due to tighter budgets, so we would like to help.

Are you interested in getting a grant to help your class see the Supreme Court of Ohio in Columbus?

The Visitor Education Center is now accepting grant applications for consideration.

The grant may cover up to $400 in field trip transportation costs for your students to visit the Supreme Court of Ohio during the 2011-12 school year.

Time is ticking and will run out on Sept. 15.

A visit to the Ohio Judicial Center is a great way for your students to experience government and for you to supplement your classroom lessons.

Your students could even have the chance to talk to me about why courts are so important in our everyday lives.

Find the application at this link: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEZESnBfR21oaFZ5SWxJbU94bEZ5OHc6MQ.

Best of luck – we hope to see you and your class!

Annual Constitution Day observance approaching

In about two weeks, Americans will celebrate the 224th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.

Each year, schools that receive federal funds must educate students about the Constitution on that day, although it will be Friday, Sept. 16, since the 17th is a Saturday this year.

Ohio civics teachers searching for potential activities may go to the iCivics Web site for resources. Here is the link: http://www.icivics.org/Constitution_Day. Teachers will find a lesson plan and a game for students to play. Have fun!

Take a field trip to the Supreme Court

If you’ve never visited the Supreme Court on a school field trip, now’s your chance. Today the court announced $30,000 for 100 grants so more schools can tour the Ohio Judicial Center, home of the Supreme Court.

Best of all, the neediest schools have the best chance of receiving a grant. The amount of grant money will depend on how far your school is from the Supreme Court.

Applications can only be submitted online by teachers and school administrators between Sept. 1-30 for the 2011-12 school year. Visit this link to access the application: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEZESnBfR21oaFZ5SWxJbU94bEZ5OHc6MQ.

Please don’t forget to let me know you’re visiting. I would love to meet you if I can.

Good luck!

A different kind of summer school

I can’t wait to meet this year’s group of students participating in a statewide program that seeks to improve diversity in the legal profession.

It’s called the Law and Leadership Institute, and the program identifies promising youth from urban neighborhoods and grooms them to be future leaders in the legal profession by offering them a chance to study law during the summer at an Ohio law school. Students entering the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th grades will begin their studies on June 27 at eight host law schools in six cities: Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo.

I had fun traveling around to the different sites last summer. I expect to be equally impressed by the caliber of students this summer, especially when I stop by the Toledo session on June 28.

For more information on the Law and Leadership program, visit:
http://www.lawandleadership.org/

Fathers and sons have served on Supreme Court

Father’s Day is this Sunday. If you didn’t know that, hurry up and make your dad a card.

With dads on our minds and with the recent launch of our new justices’ biography web site, did you know that several fathers and sons have served as Justices on the Supreme Court? In fact, two sons succeeded their fathers on the Court.

Justice Edward Matthias died on Nov. 2, 1953. His son, John, defeated his father’s successor in the 1954 election for his father’s seat and was sworn in Dec. 16, 1954. The terms for Justices Paul and Thomas M. Herbert were even closer in time. Justice Paul Herbert could not run for re-election in 1968 and his term ended Dec. 31 that year. His son, Justice Thomas M. Herbert, began his term on the Court the very next day on Jan. 1, 1969.

The two other father-son combinations to serve on the Court were: Luther (father) and Robert H. Day and J. Foster (father) and Robert N. Wilkin. Each served in the early 1900s except for Luther Day, who served in the late 1800s.

To read their bios as well as other Justices’ bios, visit:
http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/SCO/formerjustices/default.asp.