SpongeBob SquarePants, undersea pineapple dweller – a part of history? Yes, as are Angry Birds, “Glee,” NASCAR, “Dora The Explorer,” Yogi Bear, “Toy Story” and more.
Many area schools will have special Constitution Day flag ceremonies. Cerro Villa Middle School history honor students will do more: they will portray modern media characters to bring the Constitution to life for approximately 700 fourth and fifth-graders. They will participate in the 7th Annual Celebrate Constitution Week, beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday at Peralta Park. Led by Ms. Lisa Hedspeth, Cerro Villa History Department Chair, the 164 honors students will depict a “Walk Through the Constitution” to illustrate our nation’s most important document in engaging and memorable ways.
The students have been working in teams since the third day of school researching, scripting scenarios, creating costumes, painting backdrops, blocking and practicing their movements. Within a total of 12 days, each group will produce a four-minute vignette, designed to grab the audience’s attention and clearly interpret the words of the Preamble, Articles and Bill of Rights.
“It is a huge challenge at the beginning of the year, but an honor to represent OUSD. In addition to a thorough knowledge of our nation’s Constitution, the students are utilizing creativity and learning important life skills, such as team-building, compromise and negotiation, public speaking and resourcefulness,” Hedspeth said. The students’ scores reflect their comprehensive knowledge of the Constitution, as they register approximately 20 percent higher than the average.
SpongeBob portrays the elements of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. The Angry Birds depict the Fifth Amendment in a creative scenario. The “Toy Story” characters have a disagreement in the sandbox when the soldiers want to move in without consent, per the Third Amendment. The “Powerpuff Girls” are involved in the First Amendment, and the Smurfs memorably teach the Preamble.
Each vignette will be performed approximately 17 times during the day, as elementary school students rotate between the sets. Those younger students complete questions to test their understanding. At 11 a.m., all students will join students across the nation in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during the Pledge Across America.
All U.S. schools, colleges and universities that receive federal funds are mandated to teach about the United States Constitution on Sept. 17 each year. The bill was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2004, emphasizing the importance of this document, which is the framework for the organization of the U.S. government and the rights guaranteed to all.
OUSD VOCAL WORKSHOP
“Talent Blossoms in Orange” is the apt theme for the Vocal Workshop open to all third through sixth-grade students residing in OUSD boundaries. Students will learn about vocal performance, including technique, music theory, rhythm and movement and solo work from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 22 at Santiago Canyon College. The day will culminate with a performance for friends and family at 4 p.m. Students that participate in the workshop will then be invited to perform at the City of Orange Tree Lighting Ceremony that traditionally takes place the first Sunday in December.
The workshop is presented by Studio Orange, the Community Foundation of Orange arts program. Workshops will be presented by Michael Short, Orange High Choral Music Director, and Audrey Mink, St. John’s Children’s Choir Director.
Students must audition for the program. They may submit an audition tape, CD or video no longer than one minute in length, singing their favorite song, with instrumental accompaniment only. For an application or more information, see communityfoundationoforange.org. Applications are due Sept. 30.
PROJECT HOPE
Project HOPE elementary age students attend a 50-week a year academic program, which provides a safe and stable constant for those that do not have a permanent address. The school would appreciate donations of school and office supplies, such as paper, markers, water colors, origami paper. Also needed are individually packaged snacks, paper plates and bags for break time; small toys, such as play jewelry or little cars, gift cards in small denominations to fast food restaurants or stores to use as incentives.
Please contact Mary Garcia at 714-796-8734 with questions, or to arrange to drop off your donations.
SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOLS
No child in school? You can still help support education and learning without opening your wallet.
Clip box tops for education. A myriad of products sport these little rectangular coupons, each worth a dime. They are on food products, paper goods, office supplies, plastic bags, disposable tableware and more. Save them for a local school; they add up. The website, boxtops4education.com, says that more than $400,000,000 has been given to schools across America since 1996.
Register your personal or business Target credit card or debit card and designate an eligible school. Up to 1 percent of your eligible purchases will be donated to your designated school. The store’s Take Charge of Education program has given out $298,000, 000 to K-12 schools since 1997. Information: target.com/tcoe.
Save labels for education. Schools may redeem proofs of purchase (UPCs and bottle caps) from the Campbell family of bands for education equipment. To date, more than $114 million in merchandise has been provided to America’s schools. Information: labelsforeducation.com.
Send your school news and photos to Andrea at OCSchoolNews@aol.com.
