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Democracy Schools Network
Monthly Update
July 2024
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Civics: How shall we live together?
Democracy Schools Network Annual Convening
Join us for our annual gathering from 8 am until 2 pm on Monday, September 23, 2024, at the Northern Illinois University Conference Center in Naperville. Enjoy a day of immersion in civic learning: networking with DSN members, hearing from experts in the field, reflecting on your own school's civic mission, and participating in engaging workshops on a variety of current topics in civics education. There is no fee for this day-long experience, which includes a light breakfast and lunch. Hotel accommodations are provided for members from schools that are at least 120 miles from Convening site.
Our work on the new K-12 Illinois Democracy Schools model is in its final stage, so we hope that you will invite a colleague from an elementary or middle school in your district to attend and take a deeper dive into civic learning for all.
Please register here.
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Carolyn Pereira Civic Leadership Award
Interested in acknowledging someone's extraordinary efforts with enhancing civic learning in his or her school? Nominations are now open! This award recognizes a DSN educator who has exhibited an exemplary commitment to strengthening schoolwide civic engagement and learning. The ideal nominee exhibits initiative, creativity, persistence, and integrity in modeling and promoting the Illinois Democracy Schools model.
We welcome your nomination here. Please submit by August 1, 2024. The recipient will be honored at the Democracy Schools Network Annual Convening on September 23, 2024.
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DSN Grants: 2023-24 Update
This year, six Illinois Democracy Schools were recipients of DSN mini-grant funds and embarked on projects designed to meet a particular civic need in their school. We were inspired with the range of projects, the creativity of the various designs, and the expanded understanding of civic engagement that they represent. This month we feature the projects from Loyola Academy, Belvidere North High School, and Collinsville High School.
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Ursula Soni
Loyola Academy (2017)
Loyola Academy used its grant to promote the values embedded in a service learning model in two key ways: First, funding from Democracy Schools helped cover the cost of substitutes while Social Studies teachers with a passion for service learning collaborated to develop a curriculum for a new class, Honors Civics and Advocacy. This class not only introduces students to the American political system but also allows them to explore local politics and discover opportunities to apply their knowledge of the political system. Students engage in political advocacy with a community partner organization for a minimum of 14 hours each semester. Successful planning and strong student interest mean that the 2024-2025 academic year will mark the inaugural offering of this exciting new ISL course!
Additionally, further funding from Democracy Schools allowed us to compensate speakers participating in our ISL Spring Symposium: Putting Love into Action. (Read more here.) This week-long series of external speakers, panel discussions, and student-run poster sessions showcased the work of our 225 ISL students and the community partners they serve. Featuring insights from artists, professors, and leaders in law and the non-profit sector, this year’s 38 speakers educated and raised questions on issues as diverse as violence prevention, advocating for adults with disabilities, mental health, responses to those distressed by a lack of food and affordable housing, senior citizens, refugees and migrants, and efforts at partnering with those in prisons and on parole.
Dr. Teresa Kruger
Belvidere North High School (2017)
Belvidere North High School utilized the DSN grant money to host a student voter registration drive. The registration drive was led by the BNHS Student Voice Club in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford. The money was used to buy the Student Voice Club students t-shirts so they could easily be recognized as they recruited and answered questions about the drive from their peers.
In addition, postcards were bought and sent to all eligible students as a reminder about the registration drive, which in turn could be used to verify their address when they registered. All students who registered received a "I registered to vote today" sticker among other small incentives. As a result of the drive, 95 new student voters were registered which was a one-day record for the League. The Student Voice Club is already working on hosting another voter registration drive next fall!
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Barbara Lindauer
Collinsville High School (2016)
Throughout the 2023-24 school year students at Collinsville High School embarked on a project aimed at alleviating stress and anxiety among classmates. These efforts resulted in a mindfulness garden being created as a sanctuary for relaxation and reflection.
Bringing together a diverse group of students and community members, the project fostered collaboration and unity in its creation. Through careful planning and budgeting, the team selected native plants and sustainable materials to construct the garden, promoting environmental consciousness alongside mental well-being. While the garden remains a work in progress, its impact has already been felt, offering a tranquil space for students to unwind and reconnect with themselves amidst the pressures of school life.
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Civics Hive Podcast
How can students practice civic online reasoning?
The Civics Hive is a NEW podcast that takes you on a journey through the intersection of civics and technology, preparing students for active civic engagement in the 21st century.
In each episode, hosts MJ Warden and Mary Ellen Daneels will explore essential questions with expert guests including leading educators, tech innovators, and passionate advocates, all sharing their wisdom and experiences to empower you with the knowledge you need to make a difference.
If you missed our past episodes, it's not too late to catch up on our thought-provoking discussions with:
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Earn Your Microcredentials
Become a Guardian of Democracy Educator
The Illinois Civics Hub has partnered with the Lou Frey Institute at the University of Central Florida to provide educators the opportunity to earn microcredentials in the proven practices of civic education embedded in the middle and high school civics course requirements in Illinois. Courses include:
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Current and Controversial Issue Discussions—Learn from academic experts Dr. Diana Hess & Dr. Paula McAvoy as you explore the purpose, role, and function of discussion strategies as pedagogical tools to equip young people to be engaged citizens. This course will enhance the practice of educators with strategies and resources to create a classroom climate in which there are equitable opportunities for ALL students to engage in dialogue about essential questions across the curriculum.
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Simulations of Democratic Processes—Learn from academic experts Dr. Walter Parker & Dr. Jane Lo as you explore how democratic processes and procedures occur as part of the regular functioning of government, in each of the three branches of government, and at each level of government. This course will guide you through the purpose, planning, and implementation of three simulations: town hall meetings, legislative hearings, and moot courts.
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Informed Action through Service Learning—Learn from academic experts Dr. Joseph Kahne and Jessica Marshall as you explore the purpose, role, and function of informed action through service learning as a pedagogical tool to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be active members of their community. In this course, you will interact with strategies and tools you can use in your classroom to support student-centered informed action through service learning.
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NEW: Constitutional Democracy as Content and Practice—Learn from academic experts Dr. Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Dr. Shawn P. Healy, and Dr. Bonnie Laughlin Schultz as you explore how the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap can help teach constitutional democracy as both content and practice across disciplines K-12.
Registration information is available on the Guardians of Democracy homepage. Those who successfully complete the 5-week online course will earn a Bronze Certified Guardian of Democracy Educator badge via Badgr and the University of Central Florida Center for Distributive Learning.
Participants can earn 15 PD hours through the DuPage Regional Office of Education for an additional fee.
There are three strands of courses for each proven practice of civics education. Graduate credit is available through the University of St. Francis for completing all three courses. For more information, please visit the Guardians of Democracy homepage.
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Attention Social Studies Teachers!
If you want to be kept current on Social Studies standards, course mandates, and resources to support both, we invite you to sign up for the Illinois Civics Hub newsletter here.
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