News Item
State Leaders Kick Off iCivics at Anthony Middle School

Posted: Wednesday, April 27, 2011

State leaders and others committed to advancing civic education in Minnesota will participate in an event to launch iCivics at Anthony Middle School in Minneapolis, MN.  The Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Secretary of State, the Commissioner of the Department of Education, the Secretary of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Vice President of Community Relations and Government Affairs at Thomson Reuters will speak to and visit with sixth- and eighth-grade students who will be using the Web-based iCivics project to further their understanding of the three branches of government. 

 

iCivics is a Web-based national project that is the vision of former United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.  It is designed to help educate students about civics and government, an area of education that is lagging in schools. iCivics utilizes online video games to teach students about their government and help them understand that it is important and relevant to their lives.  The Web-based project also includes accompanying teacher tools and curriculum to further student understanding.

 

“It is vitally important to the future health of our democracy to help students better understand the roles of our three branches of government and the rights and responsibilities outlined in our founding document, the U.S. Constitution. I am proud and excited to be part of this new and innovative effort to engage students in civics learning,” said Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea.     

 

Media are welcome to attend this event and are asked to arrive at 1:15 p.m. at the main entrance to the school on Irving Avenue.

 

Who:         Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea; Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie; Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education Brenda Cassellius; Secretary of the Minnesota State Bar Association Phil Duran; and Vice President of Community Relations and Government Affairs at Thomson Reuters Sharon Sayles Belton

 

What:        iCivics Kick Off Event

 

When:       1:30 p.m., Friday, April 29, 2011

 

Where:      Anthony Middle School, 5757 Irving Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419