http://www.okbar.org/public/lre/newsletters/Spring2010Newsletter

Spring 2010

LAW-RELATED EDUCATION NEWS

Volume 3, Number 3

20th Annual Oklahoma Supreme Court School and Teacher of the Year School of the Year Thoreau Demonstration Academy

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Page 2 LRE Coordinator’s Welcome 2010 Mock Trial State Champions Page 3

Principal Tom Padalino, Thoreau student representatives, and Sandra Warren, pose with Chief Justice James Edmondson after the ceremony.

February 25, 2010 the Oklahoma Supreme Court convened to honor Diane Walker and Thoreau Demonstration Academy for their commitment to citizenship education. Principal Tom Padalino accepted the award on behalf of Thoreau. Teacher Sandra Warren spoke regarding the law-related programs in which the students from Thoreau participated. A large group of Ben Franklin Science Academy students came to show their support for Ms. Walker. Walker acknowledged her family for instilling a respect and interest in the political system at and early age and her desire to pass that on to her students.

Teacher of the Year Diane Walker Ben Franklin Science Academy, Muskogee

2010 We the People Citizen and the Constitution State Finals Page 4 Close Up Dominican Republic Delegation Page 5 Hatton W. Sumners Foundations of Democracy Citizen & the Constitution Workshop PROS

Diane Walker accepts trophy from LRE Committee Chair, Jack G. Clark.

Also, featured Justices Tom Colbert, Joseph Watt, Marion Opala and Steven Taylor

LRE

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Making Connections‌ Jane McConnell, OBA/LRE Coordinator June 14-18, 2010 ~ Hatton W. Sumner’s Teacher Institute Tulsa ~ Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center This will be our 3rd summer to host the Foundations of Democracy Teacher Institute. Although a civics education program, it reaches across the curriculum to ELL and counselors incorporating 4 basic democratic concepts; Authority, Privacy, Justice and Responsibility.

We will explore Oklahoma PASS correlations for each of our PK-12th Grade level lessons and activities throughout the institute. Mornings are lecture format featuring national and state speakers while the afternoons are lead by national trainers using grade appropriate classroom applications for PK-12th grades.

First and second year participants will join us on the final day for our new program, Representative Democracy in America. Becky Walderbach, Edmond Media Specialist, will serve as our trainer.

Foundations of Democracy Teacher Institute is an all expenses paid institute for selected participants.

Professional development hours are earned for each contact hour throughout the institute.

Applications are reviewed and accepted on a first-come basis. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2010.

The application is available at: http://www.okbar.org/public/lre/files/HattonSumnersApp.pdf

2010 State Mock Trial Champions Christian Heritage Academy-Crusaders Team

The Christian Heritage Academy Crusaders pose with their state High School Mock Trial Championship trophy. At left is their teacher Jerrid Eischen and at right is their attorney coach Jennifer Miller.

LRE

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2010 Citizen and the Constitution State Finals 2010 State Champions Enid High School

District finalists gathered to compete in the We the People: Citizen and the Constitution State Finals held January 23rd, 2010 at the Oklahoma History Center.

The students participated in a mock congressional hearing, fielding questions regarding the ConstituSecond Place Team tion and Bill of Rights.

Competitors were judged Rock Creek High School -Bokchito on presentation skills State Champions, Enid High School, and subject knowledge. will advance to the National Finals to be held The competition consists of 6 units reflecting on different April 23-27, 2010, in Washington, D.C. aspects of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The Unit Award winners were: All competitors are to be applauded for their Norman HS—Unit 6 hard work.

Rock Creek HS—Units 3 & 4 A Special THANKS to the judges and volunEnid HS—Units 2 & 5 teers that helped make this event possible.

Southeast HS—Unit 1 .

Third Place Team Norman High School

LRE

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Oklahoma Close Up February 16-19, students who attended the Close Up program engaged in shadowing at the State Capitol, observed an accelerated criminal appeals court docket, participated in mock legislature, and dined at the Governor’s Mansion.

Kids’ Cyber Safety Above: First Lady Kim Henry addresses the group; Left: Judge David Lewis enjoys lunch with participating students

Program speakers included First Lady Kim Henry; Lt. Gov., Jari Askins, Representatives Gary Banz, Chris Benge Anastasia Pittman, and Scott Inman; Senators Andrew Rice and Randy Brogdon, Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice James Edmondson, Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Gary Lumpkin, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, Frosty Troy; Dr. Laura Pittman, Department of Corrections; OU Professor Mary Sue Backus; Communications Officer, Terri Watkins; Brian Bush, Academy of Leadership and Liberty, and Kathy Taylor, Governor’s Advisor on Education Strategy. The three day program afforded students the opportunity to observe and take part in government functions.

OBA/LRE Hosts CIVITAS Partners from Dominican Republic February 4-10, the OBA Lawrelated Education Department hosted CIVITAS Dominican Republic delegates Gervasia Valensuela Sosa and Frida Pichardo De Vallamil.

The delegates met with officials from all branches of Oklahoma government, as well as U.S. Representative Tom Cole. The pair observed the Oklahoma legislature in session and visited local schools and museums.

Connect Safely www.connectsafely. org

NetSmartz Workshop www.netsmartz.org

SafeTeens.com www.safeteens.com

Wired Kids www.wiredkids.org

WebWiseKids www.webwisekids. org

Wired Safety www.wiredsafety. org/educators

iKeepSafe.org www.ikeepsafe.org Above: l-r, Frida Pichardo de Vallamil, Charlie Bevers, and Gervasia Valensuela Sosa at Whittier MS in Norman Right: Sosa and Vallamil visit with Rep. Ed Cannaday

Commonsense media www.commonsense media.org

LRE 2010 LRE CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 23-27

Citizen & the Constitution National Finals Washington, D.C. May 5

Project Citizen State Showcase Oklahoma Bar Center June 14-18

Hatton W. Sumners Foundations of Democracy LRE 101 Teacher Institute July 25-29

Project Citizen National Showcase Louisville, KY August 21

Citizen & the Constitution Workshop Oklahoma Bar Center September

PROS Workshops Tulsa Tech Jenks/Tulsa 14 Elementary 15 Secondary Oklahoma Bar Center, OKC 28 Elementary 29 Secondary

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Hatton W. Sumners Summer Institute Foundations of Democracy: Law-related Education—Basic 101 Monday, June 14—Friday June 18, 2010 ◦ Tulsa Institute participants will engage in lectures presented by constitutional scholars followed by peer led classroom activities. The program follows the Foundations of Democracy curriculum authored by the Center for Civic Education. The textbook series instructs students on the four fundamental concepts of government: Responsibility, Privacy, Authority, and Justice. The texts are appropriate for grade levels Pre-K to 12. www.civiced.org Friday training will be offered in the Representative Democracy in America - Voices of the People Program. Participants gain supplemental, multimedia classroom materials to enhance the teaching of representative democracy. www.representativedemocracy.org Attendees receive free meals, lodging, in-state mileage, a classroom set of textbooks, and professional development credit.

Deadline for application: April 15, 2010 We the People: Citizen and the Constitution Workshop Attendees receive instruction regarding utilization of the Citizen and the Constitution curriculum devised by the Center for Civic Education. Each educator attending will receive a classroom set of textbooks. High school students participating in the curriculum are eligible for district, state, and national competition. Competitors participate in a mock congressional hearing, testing each student’s knowledge of the U.S. Constitution.

When: August 21, 2010 Where: Oklahoma Bar Center Time: 9 a.m.—3 p.m.

Program agenda and application available at: www.okbar.org/public/lre/people.htm

Register Now for PROS Student Led Peer Mediation A project of the Early Settlement Programs administered by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, Administrative Office of the Courts, and Law-related Education Department of the Oklahoma Bar Association.

PROS is a peer mediation program designed to reduce conflict in schools. Peer mediation in schools decreases suspensions, violence, and fighting. Peer mediation results in less instances of name-calling and put downs. Peer mediation helps students achieve improved self-esteem and self-respect. Participating students develop conflict resolutions skills beneficial in all interpersonal relationships.

Program information for the 2010-2011 year can be found at: www.oscn.net/static/adr/pros.aspx Peaceful Resolutions for Oklahoma Students

LRE Law-related Education Programs Oklahoma Bar Association P.O. Box 53036 Oklahoma City, OK 73152

Find it Online!

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PRSRTSTD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OKLAHOMA CITY, OK PERMIT NO. 740

Oklahoma Bar Association

www.okbar.org/public/lre/default.htm

Executive Director

What you will find on the LRE web pages:

Law-related Education Committee Chairperson

John Morris Williams

Jack C. “Chip” Clark • • • • • •

Contact Info News Releases Calendar of Events Description of Programs Useful links Newsletter Archive

FORMS: Free Materials Request Request for Attorney Speaker Hatton W. Sumners: Foundations of Democracy Institute Application We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Workshop Application

Vice Chairperson Michael Wofford

Law-related Education Coordinator Jane McConnell janem@okbar.org (405) 416-7024

Administrative Assistant Debra Jenkins debraj@okbar.org (405) 416-7023 1901 N. Lincoln Blvd.

P.O. Box 53036 Oklahoma City, OK 73152 Toll Free Number: 800-522-8065 FAX: (405) 416-7088