{"id":823,"date":"2024-11-13T17:36:41","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T22:36:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.bsu.edu\/civics\/?p=823"},"modified":"2024-12-12T06:39:58","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T11:39:58","slug":"create-newsletter-november-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.bsu.edu\/civics\/create-newsletter-november-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"CREATE Newsletter \u2013 November 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

November Newsletter<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Issue 18<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I. CREATE News and Updates<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    Northside Middle School Students Shine at We the People Competition<\/ol>\n
      Muncie Central Students Visit to Indiana Statehouse<\/ol>\n
        2024 Civic Learning Symposium Keynote Addresses<\/ol>\n
          Teacher Spotlight: Braden DeShon \u2013 Inspiring Civic Engagement<\/ol>\n

          II. Opportunities for Teachers and Students<\/strong><\/h4>\n
            Introducing the Civic Badge Program<\/ol>\n

            III. Upcoming Events<\/strong><\/h4>\n
              November Professional Development Session: National History Day in Indiana<\/ol>\n

              IV. Featured Resource<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                Geography Educators\u2019 Network of Indiana (GENI)<\/ol>\n

                CREATE News and Updates<\/code><\/strong><\/h2>\n

                Northside Middle School Shines at We the People Competition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                This November, students from Northside Middle School<\/a> proudly represented their school at the We the People<\/a> competition, held at IU Indianapolis. The \"\"<\/a>event, hosted by the Indiana Bar Foundation<\/a>, gave students the chance to dive deep into constitutional law, debate American civics, and showcase their knowledge on the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.<\/p>\n

                Guided by Nathan Earle, a social studies teacher at Northside, students took on the challenging task of preparing for simulated congressional hearings, where students argued their interpretations of constitutional principles and defended their positions on both historical and contemporary issues. Their hard work and dedication paid off\u2014one of Northside\u2019s teams placed, reflecting their commitment to civic understanding and academic excellence. “We are super proud of our students for their dedication to understanding American civics<\/em>,” Mr. Earle shared. “Their hard work in mastering constitutional concepts and their success at the competition speaks volumes about their passion and drive<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

                The We the People<\/a> program, developed by the Center for Civic Education<\/a>, is designed to teach students the principles of American constitutional democracy\"\"<\/a> while helping them see the relevance of these principles in today\u2019s society. Aligned with Indiana Academic Standards for Social Studies and English Language Arts, the program includes a rigorous performance assessment through simulated congressional hearings, where students debate, analyze, and present their knowledge on constitutional topics.<\/p>\n

                Participation in We the People<\/a> has provided Northside\u2019s students with invaluable skills in research, critical thinking, and public speaking. Principal Williams emphasized the impact of this experience: “Through programs like this, our students gain a profound understanding of citizenship and civic responsibility, which is essential to their growth as informed, active members of society<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

                Congratulations to Northside Middle School for their impressive performance! We applaud their achievements and looks forward to seeing more MCS students excel in this program in the future.<\/p>\n

                Central High Students Support Democracy & 2024 Election<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                In an inspiring show of civic engagement, Julie Snider from Muncie Central High School<\/a> organized 24 students to serve as poll workers during the 2024 General Election on November 5th. This is \"\"<\/a>the largest group of students Ms. Snider has ever recruited for this initiative, reflecting a growing interest among young people to support democratic processes and engage in their community.<\/p>\n

                “Seeing 24 of our students work the polls this year was incredible<\/em>,” Ms. Snider shared. “Their dedication to learning about and supporting the voting process makes me proud, and it\u2019s a privilege to witness their commitment firsthand<\/em>.” By working at polling sites, these students played essential roles in assisting voters, managing the polling environment, and \"\"<\/a>ensuring a smooth and fair election day. As temporary election staff, their responsibilities included greeting voters, checking registration, issuing ballots, and maintaining orderly and accessible voting stations.<\/p>\n

                Poll workers, often referred to as the \u201chands and feet\u201d of Election Day, are crucial to the functioning of a fair and transparent voting process. They help uphold the democratic process by making voting safe, accurate, and accessible. For the students, this experience allowed them to observe democracy in action, gain insight into the election process, and witness the importance of voting firsthand. As Ms. Snider noted, \u201cEngaging students in this way not only supports our democracy but also builds their understanding and confidence as active citizens<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

                The CREATE program celebrates these Muncie Central<\/a> students and MCS educators for their dedication to democracy and civic responsibility. Their efforts serve as a powerful reminder of the impact young people can have on strengthening community ties and supporting our democratic values.<\/p>\n

                Applications Open Dec. 1 for Indiana Senate Page Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                The Indiana Senate is excited to announce that applications for the 2025 Senate Page Program will open on Sunday, Dec. 1, offering students in grades six through 12 a unique opportunity to learn about state government through hands-on experience. This full-day program allows participants to tour the historic Indiana Statehouse, observe legislative debates, assist Senate staff with age-appropriate tasks, and even meet their state senator.<\/p>\n

                Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) encourages students to take advantage of this educational experience. \u201cMeeting Senate Pages from our area is one of my favorite parts of the legislative session,\u201d Bray shared. \u201cOur program gives students the chance to get an up-close look at the legislative process and interact with elected officials, and I hope to see many local students take advantage of this unique learning opportunity again this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

                The Senate Page Program runs from January through early April, with pages scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays during the legislative session. Groups serve together on Wednesdays. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 3:30 p.m. Indiana law allows eligible students to participate one day per legislative session and provides an excused absence from school for their involvement.<\/p>\n

                Applications are expected to fill quickly, so interested students are encouraged to apply early. Upon submission, applicants can request their preferred date, and the Senate Page Office will confirm the paging schedule and ensure all necessary participation forms are completed.<\/p>\n

                This hands-on experience is an excellent opportunity for students to enhance their understanding of civic engagement and the legislative process. To learn more about the program or to submit an application, visit www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com\/Page-Program.<\/p>\n

                Don’t miss this chance to inspire young leaders and foster a deeper appreciation for government and public service!<\/p>\n

                For additional information, contact Molly Swigart, Communications Director.<\/p>\n

                2024 Civic Learning Symposium Keynote Addresses<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                The 2024 Annual Civic Learning Symposium, co-sponsored by the Indiana Bar Foundation<\/a> and the Center on Representative Government<\/a> was a success. <\/p>\n

                The symposium began with an keynote address by Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, introduced by Dean Katrina Bulkley of Teachers College. Dr. Hrabowski shared his experiences from the Civil Rights Movement and highlighted the role of education in empowering individuals to engage in civic life. His leadership at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and his efforts to diversify STEM education were celebrated\u200b.<\/p>\n