Taking the Courthouse to the Schoolroom
Introduction
The goal of the Courts "Taking the Courthouse to the Schoolroom" program is to provide students with a pragmatic overview of the justice system. The purpose of this program will be to educate students at all grade levels about our justice system with
a focus on courthouse operations. The experience and knowledge students gain from this project will broaden formal instruction received in civics, history, constitutional law, or political science. Five components have been designated to target various
grade levels. These components incorporate academic studies in the schoolroom, as well as provide fundamental exposure to actual courtroom activities and courthouse settings.
The courts' mission statement, "Our Courts are here for the People we serve - Dignity, Respect, Excellence, Communication, Pride in All We Do" expresses a philosophy toward community outreach. The vision for this program includes a strong partnership wit
h educational institutiions. Schools are a vital part of the community and are respnsible for managing the minds of our children. The Taking the Courthouse to the Schoolroom program embraces the concepts of justice, education and improves access to our
courts.
This program will be implemented with a team approach. The team includes court managers and teachers. Student and community participation will be encouraged along the way. The team is being managed by Margie Borjon-Miller, courts' Deputy Executive Offi
cer, who is working with Diane Dempwolf, Superintendent of Schools' Director of Curriculum. The Courts Executive Officer, Sheila Gonzalez, and the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Charles Weis, will provide overall project administration. The following Ju
dges from the Superior and Municipal Courts have agreed to assist in any way they can: Honorable Melinda A. Johnson, Honorable Steven Z. Perren, Honorable Rebecca S. Riley, Honorable David W. Long.
Five Court division managers have taken a lead role in refining the components which will be offered to students and teachers in May 1997. An elementary school teacher from Rose Avenue School, Nancy O'Brian, also a mentor teacher, was recommended by the
Superintendent of Schools' Director of Curriculum and has served as an advisor to ensure that program activities are compatible with educational goals.
The Teachers Law School, first of the Taking the Courthouse to the Schoolroom events, will be kicked off May 1, 1997. This event as well as the other program components will be coordinated with Law Day, an annual event sponsored by the American BAR Associ
ation.
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