Next week, Kansas public school students will observe Constitution Day and Celebrate Freedom Week. Constitution Day was established by a federal law which states in part that civil and educational authorities at all levels of government are urged to plan to properly observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Members of the public are to be thoroughly instructed in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States, and of the state and locality in which they reside.

In Kansas, Statute 72-1129 outlines the expectations of Celebrate Freedom Week, which is observed in Kansas the week of Constitution Day.

K.S.A. 72-1129 – Celebrate Freedom Week

a) In order to educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which this country was founded, the week of September containing the 17th day of such month in each year thereafter is hereby designated as "celebrate freedom week" in each public school offering any of the grades kindergarten through eight.

(b) The state board of education, in cooperation with such other state agencies or private entities who voluntarily participate, shall promote "celebrate freedom week" through a coordinated program.

The Kansas Bar Association’s Law Related Education Committee provides helpful resources for students and educators for Constitution Day and Celebrate Freedom Week. Those resources are free and funded in-part by a Kansas Bar Foundation grant.

“You be the Judge,” is one resource developed by the Hon. G. Joseph Pierron. Pierron is a Kansas Court of Appeals judge who is also Chair of the KBA Law Related Education Committee. It is grade-specific and provides attorneys and judges with excellent information to present lessons about the Constitution and its Amendments. For example, the materials for 3rd and 4th graders are focused on the Bill of Rights and include scripts to illustrate Search and Seizure, Quartering Soldiers, Public Assembly and Trial by Jury.

“This program has been given hundreds of times and is a favorite in schools, “Judge Pierron explained. “The more interaction with the students, the better.”

Throughout the school year, the KBA provides a free electronic newsletter, “Law Wise,” that highlights various areas of the law, civics, citizenship and resources for students and educators. You can subscribe to Law Wise at www.ksbar.org/lawwise. Past issues are also available online.

If you would like an attorney or judge to visit your organization or classroom, contact Anne Woods, KBA/KBF Public Services Director at awoods@ksbar.org. She can also help you with additional resources for students in grades K-12.