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Jordan district outlines classroom events and student award for America250 celebration
Summary
District social‑studies staff proposed a menu of classroom and community activities to mark America’s 250th anniversary, including contests, a voluntary student award with grade‑specific tasks and a faculty book club; staff tied the effort to state statute on civics instruction.
Jordan School District staff outlined plans for giving students districtwide opportunities to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, offering schools a menu of optional activities and an optional family‑centric student award program.
Kaye Rizzuto, who leads social‑studies curriculum work for the district, told trustees the anniversary ties to the district’s Portrait of a Graduate and strategic plan and recommended classroom and extracurricular options including writing and art contests, patriotic concerts, volunteer/service days and book clubs for faculty and families. Rizzuto said Utah’s America250 website suggests neighborhood potlucks for July 5, 2026, to conclude statewide activities; the district is also encouraging veterans’ displays and curriculum connections to local history.
Staff created an optional student award with grade‑appropriate tasks (for example, kindergarten activities range from memorizing the Pledge to family service projects) and set a submission deadline of April 10, 2026, with district celebrations planned the following May. The program is voluntary and can be used at the discretion of schools; administrators and board members said they would like the district to lead by example with board participation and possible receptions for participating students.
Trustees heard a legal reference from an attendee quoting Utah law (Utah Code 53G‑1‑202.04) that highlights the legislature’s recognition that civic and character education is a continuing emphasis in public schools; staff said the celebration provides a vehicle for implementing that statutory intent. No formal policy changes were proposed; the board received the update and asked staff to notify principals of options and to coordinate celebration logistics as participation levels become clear.
