Andrea Iannazzi, a member of the Cranston School Committee, took the initiative to create and organize a series of events to enhance the civics curriculum in the schools. Iannazzi invited guest speakers to different school locations for 8 panel discussions and question-and-answer periods on topics ranging from terrorism to women in politics. Here is a full list of the schedule:
September 19, 2006: Terrorism, Bain Middle School, Guest: Marc Genest, Naval War College
October 17, 2006: Politics and the Media, Park View Middle School, Guests: Ian Donnis, Providence Phoenix; Dave Layman, Cote & D’Ambrosio; Bill Rappleye, WJAR 10
November 14, 2006: RI Judiciary, Cranston High School West; Guests: 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; Guests: 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, Guests: Denise Aiken; Representative Carol Mumford; Senator Elizabeth Roberts
April 2, 2007: Stem Cell Research, Cranston High School West, Guest: Congressman James Langevin
May 15, 2007: Education Funding, Cranston High School East, Guest: Senator Hanna Gallo
All programs begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Given the range of topics, I wondered what the intended age/grade range was for this series of events. Iannazzi responded that the intended age range is primarily middle and high school students, although she hopes that some 4th and 5th graders might attend the more general events such as the one on Women in Politics. Iannazzi also noted that the events are open to the public and parents are welcome to attend. However, question-asking will be limited to students.
Great work, Andrea!
Kmareka.com 
Thanks Kiersten! I would just like to provide an update-Republican Secretary of State candidate Sue Stenhouse has joined the Women & Politics panel. I look forward to meeting your readers at the forum.
This is awesome! Will the schedule be posted anywhere online or in public? Will there be flyers handed out at the schools to promote the series? I’d love to see programs like this reaching further down into grade school level, too. When you think about it, civic responsibility, sort of like the Golden Rule, begins at birth!
But anyway, I’m really impressed and will try to spread the word.
This is awesome! Will the schedule be posted anywhere online or in public? Will there be flyers handed out at the schools to promote the series? I’d love to see programs like this reaching further down into grade school level, too. When you think about it, civic responsibility, sort of like the Golden Rule, begins at birth!
But anyway, I’m really impressed and will try to spread the word.
The schedule is posted on my website and will soon be posted on http://www.cpsed.net. Flyers will be handed out in schools.
Just a quick note, I was just informed by the first speaker, Dr. Marc Genest, that his presentation will not be appropriate for students younger than Grade 9. Sorry for the inconvenience for those readers with young ones!