Hartford Public Schools is pleased to partner with Connecticut judges to teach students about civics, democracy, law, and more. The Civics Academy from the Connecticut Judicial Branch is a group of judges and attorneys who are specially trained to deliver the instruction to elementary school students. This year, judges will visit each of the elementary schools in the district, delivering a 50-minute lesson to 5th graders.
Last year, state Supreme Court Justice Raheem Mullins, the youngest to ever be appointed to the Supreme Court, and Hartford lawyer Cindy Cieslak visited Noah Webster Microsociety Magnet School to speak to 5th graders.
Justice Mullins and Ms. Cieslak talked to the students about democracy, representation, the reason for rules and laws, and how to change laws. They worked with the students to propose changes to current classroom rules, and talked about the different strategies that could be used to get those changes approved.
As part of a separate Hartford Public Schools program with the Connecticut Superior Court, judges will also be visiting high school civics and law classes on a volunteer basis, working alongside the teachers to facilitate discussions and share their real-world experiences.