In honor of Constitution Day on September 17, Middle Gate Elementary School had its annual assembly to celebrate America and tell the history of the country’s prized Constitution.

Third and fourth graders — many wearing red, white, and blue — filled the school’s gymnasium, which was adorned in patriotic decorations.

Once everyone was seated, Middle Gate Principal Christopher Geissler announced that not only was the day special because of a few student and faculty birthdays, but the event also marked the school’s first assembly of the year.

He asked students what are the rules that everyone should adhere to when in an assembly, to which the children suggested input like “active listening” and “self-control.”

With each student demonstrating those skills, a fourth grader from teacher Linda Baron’s class stood in the center of the room and recited the Pledge of Allegiance as everyone followed suit and faced the flag.

Music teacher Tina Jones then led the group in the patriotic song, “Let’s Hear It For America,” as students marched in place and enthusiastically sang out “Let’s hear it for America, hip hooray!”

Ms Baron educated the students, parents, and faculty in the room about the origin of our country’s Constitution, including that Connecticut earned its name as the “Constitution State” after secretly hiding the prized document in an oak tree in Hartford to protect it.

When she asked the students what they thought would happen if the world had no rules to follow, responses ranged from an increase in gangs to the explosion of the world to accidents on the road.

Understanding that rules are important not only in society, but also in schools, Ms Baron turned to Mr Geissler and said she has come up with some ideas for new school rules. A 15-cent tax on paper, 10-cent tax on cafeteria utensils, extra homework each night, and school on Saturdays were just some of her suggestion, and all of them caused the students to erupt in dismay and unsupportive groans.

Hearing their lack of approval for the possible new rules, Ms Baron ripped up the paper she was reading from and said, “We have to realize when we write up a Constitution, that everyone’s voice matters. It’s not up to one individual… everyone should have a say, because we are the people, and we have a voice.”

One fourth grade student used his voice to ask the assembly’s special guest, First Selectmen Dan Rosenthal, how learning about the Constitution best benefits citizens.

Mr Rosenthal — whose three children all attended Middle Gate — replied that learning about the Constitution helps better educate people. Just like learning to ride a bike or playing piano, people have to be proactive to get better at a skill, and in that respect, becoming more educated creates good citizens.

“Learning the Constitution at a young age matters,” he said as he looked upon the many third and fourth grade students gazing up at him.

Other special guests in attendance that were acknowledged during the ceremony were Darleen Jones, who is a descendant of a patriot that fought in Connecticut during the American Revolution, and Senior Vice Commander and Chaplain of American Legion Post 202 Donna Randle.

Fourth graders in Ms Baron’s class proceeded to individually share the events that led up to the Constitution and about the Bill of Rights.

Before the assembly wrapped up with the anthem “Grand Old Flag” and the Middle Gate school song, Ms Baron left the students with some closing words about how to best honor Constitution Day all year long.

“I want to remind the boys and girls that are here that when you leave, it’s our hope that you appreciate the freedoms that you have, the great school that you attend, the incredible community that you are a part of, our state, and our country,” she said. “We all need to be responsible citizens by following rules, and remember to always be kind.”