Civics Education Program

Politics and the law dominate the Civics Education Program that Cranston Public Schools is unleashing for the 2006/ 2007 school year. The themes are not surprising, considering the event organizer.

Cranston School Committee Member Andrea M. Iannazzi, of Ward 6, not only came up with the idea for the program, but also picked the topics and contacted the guest speakers. Working closely with Superintendent Richard Scherza and Social Studies Program Supervisor Beverly Prestage, Iannazzi identified issues ranging from stem cell research and media influence to terrorism and civil liberties. The program’s goal is to present a balanced and thought provoking presentation for Cranston students and the surrounding community. The year long series will be free to the public and will be broadcast throughout Cranston, courtesy of Bain TV.

Since being elected to the School Committee in 2004, Iannazzi has focused her efforts on enhancing the history curriculum and engaging students in civics. Andrea said, “I believe that our students’ best chance of succeeding is to understand the political and social realities of today’s society. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ‘Our children should learn the general framework of their government and then they should know where they come in contact with the government, where it touches their daily lives and where their influence is exerted on the government. It must not be a distant thing, someone else's business, but they must see how every cog in the wheel of a democracy is important and bears its share of responsibility for the smooth running of the entire machine.’ I agree completely and believe this program is a key first step in shaping responsible and engaged future citizens.”

Andrea credits her studies at the University of Rhode Island for her idea for the program, “I am often asked what sparked my interest in civics at such a relatively young age. Overwhelmingly, I look back to a Rhode Island State Government class I enrolled in at URI, moderated by Professor Maureen Moakley. Over the course of the semester, we heard from Judges, Lieutenant Governor Fogarty, then Attorney General Whitehouse, and other dignitaries. Instead of reading about the responsibilities of the judiciary or elected officials, we heard directly from the source. Due to Rhode Island’s small geographical size, this is the type of learning experience that is truly unique to our great State and will serve as a catalyst for civic engagement in the City of Cranston.”

Guest speakers include several members of the Rhode Island Judiciary, Congressman James Langevin, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, State Senators Hanna Gallo and Elizabeth Roberts, and State Representative Carol Mumford, among others.

Monthly events are scheduled for 7:00 p.m., beginning on September 19th at Bain Middle School. No event is scheduled for December. The venues will rotate throughout Cranston. A full schedule will be posted at www.cpsed.net after Labor Day. For more information on the series, contact Andrea at (401) 383-5642 or e-mail andreaiannazzi@msn.com.


Cranston Public Schools’
Civics Education Program

September 19, 2006 Terrorism
Bain Middle School Marc Genest, Naval War College

October 17, 2006 Politics and the Media
Park View Middle School Ian Donnis, Providence Phoenix
Dave Layman, Cote & D’Ambrosio
Bill Rappleye, WJAR 10

November 14, 2006 RI Judiciary
Cranston High School West Chief Justice Frank J. Williams, Supreme Court
Chief Justice Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr., Family Court
Justice Ojetta Rogeriee Thompson, Superior Court
Judge Elaine T. Bucci, District Court
Representative from Worker’s Compensation Court

January 16, 2007 Criminal Law
Cranston High School East Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch
Public Defender John Hardiman
Moderator Lawrence Rothstein, URI

February 13, 2007 Rhode Island History
Western Hills Middle School To be announced

March 20, 2007 Women & Politics
Park View Middle School Denise Aiken
Representative Carol Mumford
Senator Elizabeth Roberts

April 2, 2007 Stem Cell Research
Cranston High School West Congressman James Langevin

May 15, 2007 Education Funding
Cranston High School East Senator Hanna Gallo

All programs begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.