Public schools and courts celebrate 10 years of Constitution Day together

On September 17 the 10^th Judicial District, Johnson County, Kan., in collaboration with Olathe Public Schools, marked the 10^th anniversary of Constitution Day with a special event that reached across the state.

Judge Robert J. Wonnell, alongside a supporting cast of school district and court personnel, and NCRA President-Elect Cindy Isaacsen, RPR, an official court reporter with the 10th Judicial District, led this impactful civic education event. The highlight of the celebration was a mock trial broadcast to 589 classrooms, engaging 12,267 third graders across the state in an interactive and educational experience.

Throughout the summer, the 10^th Judicial District, Johnson County, developed comprehensive educational materials and lesson plans featuring promotional videos created by district staff. These resources were distributed to every elementary school in Kansas and have been accessed over 3,700 times by educators statewide.

Educators’ Praise for the Constitution Day Event:

“My students loved the mock trial! The initial explanation of the branches of government wasn’t as engaging, but once the trial started, they were captivated, debating the verdict and learning the importance of paying attention to details.” – De Soto School District
“It was awesome! The students were fully engaged, especially during the jury deliberation. This experience helped them grasp the concept of ‘guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,’ and sparked discussions about citizens’ rights and the role of the Constitution.” – USD 430 South Brown County
“This was such a fun and meaningful way to teach the Constitution and the Judicial Branch. The lesson materials were well prepared and easy to implement, making it a refreshing addition to our curriculum. We’re already looking forward to next year!”

View the Constitution Day YouTube video.

For those interested in exploring educational materials and videos created by the 10th Judicial District, Johnson County, Kan., contact NCRA President-Elect Cindy Isaacsen, RPR, at Cindy.Isaacsen@jocogov.org.