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May 28, 2013 (Sacramento) 鈥� George Washington Carver School of Arts & Science will celebrate winning a statewide Civic Learning Award on Wednesday (May 29) with a showcase event featuring VIP speakers.

Carver is one of only 22 high schools in California to be honored for its civic learning programs. The Civic Learning Awards are co-sponsored by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. Winners were selected by a panel of experts based on the depth and breadth of their civic learning courses, clubs and/or programs.

Carver will receive its Award of Merit from Superior Court Judge Stacy Boulware Eurie, who presides over Sacramento鈥檚 Juvenile Court.

An innovative Waldorf-inspired small high school, Carver was recognized for three distinctive projects that further the learning of civics:
鈥� The Poverty Project, a unit within the 12th grade economics curriculum that requires students to volunteer with an organization that helps people in poverty. Students are also required to interview someone affected by poverty and 鈥済ive voice鈥� to their story. Students then reflect on their service through artwork and writing.
鈥� The ReThinking Technology Club. Students worked to convert the engine of a standard Porsche 914 sports car into an electric engine. Members of the club bring the car to elementary and middle school STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) events and provide information for younger students on alternative energy sources.
鈥� Student Government Constitution. Students participate in elections and practice democracy by discussing important issues and creating initiatives to address those issues. Students also hold 鈥渁ctions days鈥� on campus to urge others to become involved in the school community.
Student work from these projects 鈥� including the Porsche 鈥� will be on display on Wednesday, along with short dramatic pieces, art and photography.

鈥淚 am extremely proud of our students and staff and their commitment to learning about the rights and duties that come with being a responsible citizen,鈥� said Principal Allegra Alessandri. 鈥淥ur guiding question to students at Carver is 鈥楬ow will you engage the world?鈥� An education rich in civic learning answers that question.鈥�

According to surveys by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only about a third of American adults can name all three branches of government, and a third can鈥檛 name any. Only 15 percent of adults can correctly identify the United States Chief Justice (John Roberts) but almost twice as many know Randy Jackson is an 鈥淎merican Idol鈥� judge.

鈥淜nowing about our democracy and about the role of the individual in society are keys to our future as a nation,鈥� says 麻豆官网 Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. 鈥淭he work that staff and students are doing at Carver provides a great model for others.鈥�

VIPs who will be on hand to help Carver celebrate include Sacramento County Office of Education Superintendent David Gordon, 麻豆官网 Superintendent Jonathan Raymond, Rancho Cordova City Councilmember Donald Terry and 麻豆官网 Board Members Christina Pritchett and Darrell Woo.

WHAT:                 George Washington Carver鈥檚 Civic Learning Award
WHEN:                 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29
WHERE:               George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science
                                10101 Systems Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95827