Students from Mt. Vernon Community School, Jefferson-Houston School, Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School and Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy participated in the ceremony marking our country’s 229th birthday.
Mayor Silberberg officiated the ceremony and signed the official Proclamation commemorating Constitution Week, September 17 – 23. Also in attendance were Superintendent Alvin L. Crawley, School Board Chair Karen Graf and members of local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapters.
To commemorate the Constitution, students from the four schools sang the “Preamble” and “The Bill of Rights RAP.” The music was composed by Debra Lindsay, Music Teacher, Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy.
The role Virginians James Madison, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington played in shaping the document was also highlighted.
The tradition of celebrating the U.S. Constitution began in 1956 after the DAR petitioned Congress. Public Law 915 was passed. Constitution Week emphasizes citizens’ responsibilities for protecting the Constitution, educates people about the role of the Constitution and encourages the study of historical events leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in September 1787.
View video from the event:
Photo courtesy of the Alexandria Times