WHEN THE NATION’S FOUNDERS rejected tyranny to form a new kind of government ruled by the people, they saw public education as essential to democracy’s survival. Thomas Jefferson specifically warned of the “tyranny” that could follow if “the people at large” were not educated at the common expense. As we celebrate Civic Learning Week through March 14, the original purpose of public education in America—to prepare citizens for self-governance—could not be more relevant. The Civic Circle kicked off…
IT’S TIME TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS for The Civic Circle’s first Youth Democracy Fest on Saturday, March 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. This event is free, but seating capacity is limited, so please reserve HERE today. (We do not want anyone to be disappointed and turned away!) We’ll hear inspiring civic songs and poems by students in our community, and enjoy uplifting performances by Downwire, poet Malachi Byrd, and singers Lilo Gonzalez, Uasuf Gueye, and Munit Mesfin. Don’t miss this family-friendly gathering to celebrate democracy and youth voices! Join us…
IF YOU SEEK INSPIRATION amid tumultuous times, join The Civic Circle’s first Youth Democracy Fest on March 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in downtown Silver Spring. Students in our community will share their civic songs, poems and art pieces about the seven “steps to democracy” at the heart of our program. We’ll also enjoy uplifting performances by poet Malachi Byrd, singers Lilo Gonzalez, Uasuf Gueye, and Munit Mesfin, and by Downwire, which will share band member Bob Hirshon’s rousing new song, “We the People.”…
THE CIVIC CIRCLE REACHED close to 1,000 students in grades 3-12 this year, continuing our expansion into Middle and High Schools, and offering 325 sessions of civic arts programming to low-income students in Montgomery County. Highlights of the fall semester included workshops and community civic events that took advantage of the election as a teachable moment. Students at Silver Spring International Middle School and Montgomery Blair High School explored voting and democracy through poetry and dance with teaching artists Malachi Byrd and Carolina…
Montgomery County President Kate Stewart & SMOB Praneel Suvarna YOUTH VOICES WERE FRONT and center at The Civic Circle’s “Voices of Hope” celebration on December 8. Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart’s Q&A with Praneel Suvarna, Student Member of the Board, was a highlight of the evening, covering topics from the future of education and youth services in our county to how to be a principled leader. We also heard from Civic Circle Maryland Service Corps member Meleny Arias-Ramos,…