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Throughout the month of September, public schools across the nation observe a series of events that celebrate the philosophical bedrocks of the American Republic. The events are Patriot Day, Constitution Citizenship Day, and Celebrate Freedom Week. In addition, Florida recognizes September as American Founders’ Month.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Division of Academics Department of Social Sciences has compiled various instructional resource guides to assist teachers to commemorate these important events. These guides provide instruction in support of American Founders’ Month, Patriot Day on Sept. 11, Constitution and Citizenship days on Sept. 17, and Celebrate Freedom Week during the last week of the month.
American Founders’ Month provides us with the opportunity to study our nation’s early history and the leaders who defined the fundamental principles on which our nation was established, wrote our founding documents, and helped establish our nation and government. It is this philosophical approach to governance developed in our early history that has allowed the nation’s ideas of freedom and equality to expand over time.
Patriot Day commemorates Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 over Pennsylvania. Since Sept. 11 falls on a Sunday this year, schools were urged to conduct commemorations on Friday, Sept. 9.
M-DCPS teachers were encouraged to develop a short commemorative program incorporating a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. in memory of those who lost their lives in the attacks (The first hijacked airliner struck the north tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m.).
It is interesting to note that although most people in the country of a certain age range can remember exactly where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, students graduating in 2023 from high school were not born until four or five years after this tragic day. This fact makes instruction about 9/11 in our public schools that much more important.
Sept. 11 also is the National Day of Service and Remembrance. All Miami-Dade public schools are encouraging students to participate in service activities during this month.
Senior high schools may opt to provide community service credit for participating students.
On Sept. 17, 1789, the U.S. Constitution was ratified. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, marked the 231st commemoration of this living document. Since Constitution Day fell on a Saturday this year, schools were encouraged to hold commemorations by Friday, Sept. 16.
Providing instruction related to the development, structure, functions, and impact of our nation’s rule book provides an opportunity for students to appreciate the overarching ideas of rule of law, separation of powers, and the ever-important checks and balance system contained within.
Celebrate Freedom Week, the last full week of school in September, is a time for us to reflect and be thankful for the ideas of freedom and self-governance as stated in the Declaration of Independence and includes instruction on the intent, meaning, and importance the document that helped lead the way to the development of our democratic republic.
During this time, teaching and learning in social studies classes shall dedicate instructional time to an in-depth study of the intent, meaning and importance of the Declaration of Independence. Moreover, at the beginning of each school day or in homeroom during Celebrate Freedom Week, public school principals and teachers shall conduct an oral recitation by students of the Declaration of Independence.
The month of September in Miami-Dade County Public Schools provides our students with a multitude of learning opportunities that are sure to inspire patriotism.
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