September 17, 2011

Hilton Central students celebrate "Constitution Day"

Take the Quiz

Hilton Central School middle and high schoolers have been studying the US Constitution in an effort to become more familiar with its tenets. Social Studies teachers at Hilton High School and at Merton Williams Middle School presented students with a challenge to research the Constitution and answer questions correctly.  Constitution Day promotes a 'Constitution IQ' through educational projects, quizzes and activities for students.

At the High School students enter an essay contest according to Social Studies Program Coordinator Annette Wattie.  "Students are writing about the first ten amendments to the Constitution known as the Bill of Rights," Mrs. Wattie said. "These amendments guarantee many of our individual rights including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from warrantless searches and seizures, the privilege against self–incrimination, the right to trial by jury in civil and criminal cases, and the right to legal counsel in criminal cases. In an essay of at least 500 words explain:  Which of these rights is the most important and why and in a post-911 world, how may concerns of terrorism weaken the Amendment that you most value?  Your essay is due to your Social Studies teacher on Tuesday, September 20. An essay will be chosen for each grade level and the student will receive a 2011-2012 Hilton Yearbook!"

Constitution Facts

Schools hold the annual challenge to comply with the federal regulation that resulted from the late Senator Robert Byrd’s [D-WV] legislation which commemorates the September 17, 1789 signing of the Constitution and requires every school that receives federal funds to have a program on the Constitution on Constitution Day.