Educational Programs

Constitution Day

Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, was celebrated in schools across the country during the week of Sept. 14–18. In New Mexico, the State Bar’s Public and Legal Services Department coordinated activities with schools by supplying pocket-sized booklets of the Constitution, lesson plans, and visits by attorney volunteers. Attorneys partnered with teachers to lead discussions on freedom and liberty to over 6,300 students in 98 schools around the state. Over 150 attorneys volunteered their time, and more contributed to the program by donating money to cover the cost of classroom materials.

Thanks to all the Constitution Day volunteer attorneys.

NM State Attorney General Gary K. King teaches 5th graders at Governor Bent Elementary School in Albuquerque.

Governor Bent Elementary School 5th graders present King with their drawings of Constitution themes.

King spent 20 minutes signing students' Liberty Day booklets.

Assistant U.S Attorney Alfred J. Perez worked with with Doris Garcia's students at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Las Cruces.

Students at Governor Bent Elementary read the Liberty Day booklets given to 5th graders by the State Bar.

William J. Perkins leads students in a discussion of the Constitution at Harrison Schmitt Elementary School in Silver City.

Alex Russell teaches students at Puesta del Sol Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

Steven Chavez signs copies of the Constitution at Raymond Gabaldon Elementary School in Los Lunas.

Law Day 2009

Visit us again soon for information on next year’s events!

 

Classroom Law Project ...

is a partnership program of the New Mexico State Bar Foundation's Public & Legal Services Department and the Center for Civic Values.  We need volunteer attorneys for the partnership program.  Volunteer lawyers are partnered with classroom teachers to meet the following goals:

• to promote students' recognition of the impact of the law in their daily lives;
• to increase students' awareness of their rights and responsibilities as citizens; and,
• to expand students' knowledge and appreciation of the legal system of the United States.

Lawyers collaborate with teachers to make presentations at the grade level and school they have chosen to volunteer. 

For more information call (505) 797-6005.

Annual High School Essay Contest

The Public Legal Education Committee sponsors an annual high school essay contest each year in conjunction with Law Day.

Know the Law

An exciting program informs New Mexico high school students, who are about to make adult decisions, about their new responsibilities and liabilities.

 

Junior Judges

 

This program is designed to teach grade school students about potential consequences of bad behavior and making decisions in difficult peer situations. Topics include stealing, bullying, cheating, drugs and alcohol, and gangs and weapons. The State Bar Young Lawyers Division coordinates the program.

Schools that would like to participate in the program or attorneys who would like to volunteer should contact YLD Chair Martha Chicoski, mary.martha.chicoski@farmers.com or (505) 248-3504.