Episode 6: The Constitution

Wendy: Welcome to our next episode of Provo City School District's 'Sup With the Sup!" Today is September 15th, 2023. I am Superintendent Wendy Dau, and we have an exciting episode for you this week.  Wendy: Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a new law which states that the month of September is “American Founders and Constitution Month”. This is in addition to Constitution Day, which has long been recognized on September 17th. My guests today are here to talk about how the Constitution is taught and celebrated in our schools.  But before I introduce them, let's go over our updates.  The Provo City School District theme for this year is "Find Your Swing," from the book, The Boys in the Boat. I mentioned in an earlier episode that I wanted to hold a contest for students to design a pin representing this theme to be awarded to everyone who reads the book. The contest is officially here. Students can submit their best artwork representing the Find Your Swing theme for a chance to have your design Showcased on the pin. Artwork can be turned into your school's main office by Wednesday, December 13th, 2023.  SEP conferences for secondary schools are coming up on September 19th and 20th. There was an adjustment to the date for Timpview's conferences, so Timpview families, please look for more information to be coming from the school. Continue to check your school's website, calendar, and social media for important information and dates.  If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, remember to send in your application within the first 30 days of school. This process needs to be completed each year.  Please remember to update your information in PowerSchool, which we also need to have done annually. The next school board meeting will be an all-day meeting on Friday, September 29th. Meetings like this are usually an all-day study session, allowing the school board to discuss items in more detail. The meetings are open to the public and broadcast on YouTube.  The Provo Foundation's “Links for Kids” golf tournament will be held on September 28th. If you are interested in participating, please visit foundation.provo.edu.  A weekly videocast from me will also be showcased on Friday.  This week, we didn't have any questions from our community, so I want to do a few shoutouts. First, Teaching and Learning was recognized by the state for being one of five districts that had outstanding reading and literacy outcomes. We will showcase more information about that on our website.  A big shout out to Momi Tu'ua and Seralina McCormick-Danielson, who received scholarships from the Utah Retirement System; so great job, Momi and Seralina. Momi is the Principal at Timpview High School, and Seralina McCormick-Danielson is a teacher at Canyon Crest Elementary. Today, in our podcast, we are showcasing the Constitution. I am here with Amanda Eskeets, a Social Studies teacher at Centennial Middle School, and Will Weidner, a student and our Student Board Representative for Provo City School District. He is from Timpview High School, and we are here to talk about The Constitution. Wendy: Who's excited?  Amanda: I'm excited.  Will: I'm very excited.  Wendy: Oh, you guys have to sound more excited! Wendy: Okay, so let's start by having each one of you tell us a little bit about yourselves. So, let's start with you, Amanda.  Amanda: Okay, um, I'm Amanda Eskeets. I grew up here in Utah, and this is my 11th year teaching in the district. I've been at Centennial the whole time. Amanda: I love it—Centennial's like my family. I teach U. S. History. For the last two years, I've been teaching Gifted U.S. History. I teach several electives as well. I'm married, and I have two little kids.  Wendy: Awesome. Welcome to our show! Will? Will: Okay. So yeah, I'm a senior at Timpv