Imagine elementary-aged students dressed up as famous American patriots and reading the Preamble to the Constitution on a recent Friday morning, and you'll begin to gauge how much excitement is permeating the air around Fairview Elementary School these days.

The occasion was a kickoff rally for the school's announcement as a First Amendment project school, and in addition to the symbolic readings, the community also planted a tree and held a rocket launch. Past graduates came back to speak about their experiences, and everyone spoke about ways they could live up to the spirit of the First Amendment.

Their ideas ranged from the quaint to the controversial. For example, the administration will ask the students to identify a better way to distribute balls during recess. Yet they will also let the student body vote on the school uniform policy, and inaugurate a Youth Court, where the kids themselves can take responsibility for settling their disputes.

“We want them to realize that they're part of a bigger picture,”  said Chano Flores, a sixth grade teacher at the school and the coordinator of the project on campus.

But the project isn't just about the students. “Just the other day,” said principal Rob Williams, “a parent came up to me and said, ‘I've got a great idea. Every student that leaves Fairview must sign a contract pledging that they understand what it means to live up to the spirit of the First Amendment, and that they'll identify ways in which they can build on their experiences in middle school.'

“That's what the First Amendment has done for my school.”

To learn more about Fairview Elementary School, visit their website:

http://www.fairviewfirst.us/

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