In 2019, the Arizona state legislature created the Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Celebration Day. The law states that each public school must dedicate the majority of the school day on Sept. 25 to civics.

Sandra Day O’Connor was sworn in as the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 25, 1981. For over two decades as a Supreme Court justice, she became known as a fair yet firm justice.

Sandra Day O’Connor got her start as a judge on the Superior Court of Maricopa County. She dedicated her life to civil discourse. As a way to pay tribute to the life and civic contributions of Sandra Day O’Connor, all Queen Creek Unified School District students in kindergarten through 12th grade took part in a civics lesson on Friday, Sept. 25.

Civics is the study of government and politics and the rights and duties of citizenship. Lessons included — but were not limited to — activities on the Bill of Rights, the Suffrage Movement, the voting process, branches of government and our state. Primary and secondary sources in line with Arizona Standards were used in each lesson.

“It was exciting to see students discuss the Bill of Rights,” said Kyle Olson, eighth-grade social studies and honors social studies teacher at Newell Barney Junior High. “It was especially interesting seeing the students debate which of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution is most important to them.”

Earlier in the month, on Sept. 17, QCUSD students took part in activities to celebrate Constitution Day. This day commemorates the signing of the Constitution in 1787. These days are meaningful explorations of the importance of civics, civic participation in our society, and our Constitution.

Additionally, in the Queen Creek Unified School District, we honor patriotic holidays like Constitution Day, by posting U.S. flags along the driveway entrances and exits of each QCUSD school and building.

Editor’s note: Stephanie Ingersoll is Queen Creek Unified School District’s public relations and marketing director.