Reed Students Observe Constitution Day

By Laurie Borst

On September 17, Reed Intermediate School celebrated National Constitution Day with the screening of a movie, The (almost) Painless Guide to the US Constitution, and a visit from State Representative Julia Wasserman.

The students filled the cafetorium, sitting on the floor, and watched the movie. After presenting many interesting facts about the US Constitution, the movie offered a quiz. The students enthusiastically called out the answers.

The movie pointed out many facts about what the Constitution provides for the people of the United States. It limits the powers of the government, protects the individual rights of the people, and stressed that everybody must obey the rules, from the President and federal representatives to state and local officials and all citizens.

Students also learned that the Constitution represents the oldest continuous form of government still in existence today. The three branches of government provide checks and balances to prevent abuse of power by any one branch.

The Bill of Rights is comprised of the first ten amendments to the constitution. The movie pointed out that almost as soon as the framers of the Constitution finished it, they realized that some things hadn’t been covered, resulting in the familiar additions to cover freedom of speech, religion and assembly, the right to bear arms, etc.

Students also learned the steps involved in submitting an amendment for consideration. So far, 26 amendments have been ratified, or approved by ballot, by the states.

After the movie, Assistant Principal Tony Salvatore introduced Mrs Wasserman saying: “Representation of the people, by the people, and for the people, Julia Wasserman represents all of Newtown.”

“The Constitution is what we follow to change laws,” Mrs Wasserman explained. “For every law, new law, or change in laws, it goes back to the people first. That’s called a public hearing. Connecticut has its own constitution which works the same way as the Federal Constitution.”

Catherine Neave, a sixth grader, said of the Constitution: “It makes our laws. It’s really important for our country and the people.”