Winter 2017
30-Day Responsible Citizenship Challenge In the face of change and division, our society must do more than acknowledge our differences and problems. We need to work together to accomplish our goals. The first step is to identify our responsibilities as citizens. Then, we need to act. To help students, faculty, and staff engage in this process the students in Mrs. Janovitz’s English classes are running a 30-Day Responsible Citizenship Challenge beginning on March 1st. Over the course of the month, participants will be asked to complete actions that promote the democratic values of equality, justice, diversity, liberty, community, and popular sovereignty.
We hope you share in this effort with us!
Photo courtesy of Shannon Janovitz
Mrs. Janovitz’s AP Literature class, Period 7
Sunday
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1. R esearch a current political issue that you hear about all the time, but don’t feel informed about.
2. P romote involvement in a school activity and plan to attend a school event.
3. M ake a list of 5 questions to ask someone who supported a different presidential candidate than you.
4. R ecommend a Music Monday song with a positive, unifying message.
6. R ead something written by a person from a different background / culture / race / religion than you.
7. H ave a conversation with someone about what you love about your culture.
8. R esearch a female social or political activist for a cause you believe in and share what you learn with others.
9. H ave a respectful conversation with someone from a different political party about current political and social concerns.
10. I dentify how you
are privileged and reflect on how you can use your privilege for social justice.
11. C reate something that expresses how you feel about a current political or social issue and share it with others.
12. R eflect on
13. H igh five at least one random person in the hallway.
14. C hoose a topic in
15. S it at a different
16. A ttend an event
17. G o green. Be
18. S hare your ideas
19. R esearch and
20. W rite down three
21. W rite a slogan about the promotion of equal rights and share it with friends and/or on social media.
22. C ommit a random
23. W atch a film that addresses an important political or social issue.
24. S chedule a time to volunteer for a local cause or support a charity. Commit to seeing it through.
25. W rite a letter to a local war veteran, social activist, or political leader thanking them for their work and service.
26. L ook up the
27. W ear something
28. W rite a letter to or
29. M ake a personal action plan identifying the steps you want to take to continue progressing as a responsible citizen.
30. W rite down 5
31. S HOWCASE
write down three ways the U.S. has been positively impacted by other nations.
Students discuss their ideas at a computer
Tuesday
Photo courtesy of Shannon Janovitz
Mrs. Janovitz’s AP Literature class, Period 5
5. R ead an article that expresses a different opinion about a political or social issue than the one you hold, and reflect on the argument presented.
politically or socially motivated artwork. Write down five thoughts you have in response to the artwork.
Above photos courtesy of Shannon Janovitz
For more information on the challenge and to learn how you can participate, please visit www.bhscitizens.weebly.com. Follow us on Twitter: @BHS30Day or on Instagram: @bhs30daychallenge. Join us on Google Classroom: code dli0zk; Contact: Shannon Janovitz--janovitz@bpsk12.org
definitions of patriotism and nationalism and reflect on the differences between the two terms.
things you’d like to see our government do and brainstorm ways you can help to make them happen.
that reflects your pride in America.
American history to research.
call a local, national, or global leader expressing your thoughts about a current issue or concern.
table in the cafeteria and get to know new people.
act of kindness :)
that promotes equal rights for all.
reasons that you are grateful to be an American and talk about those reasons with others.
vigilant about minimizing your global footprint.
about what it means to be a responsible citizen in 21st century America.
OPENING- display of student work/participation throughout the month.
‘This is what democracy looks like!’ By Olivia Celeste & Zahra Mohammed On January 21, 2017, 3.3 million Americans participated in Women’s Marches. Protests were held in 500 cities across the country and 70 countries worldwide. Marchers protested the derogatory comments that President Trump made about women on the campaign trail. They fear the curtailing of women’s reproductive rights under his administration. Protesters also marched for the rights of groups that could be marginalized un-
Chanted marchers seeking to protect their rights
Photo by Olivia Celeste
People gather at the Mall to protest for their rights der the new administration, such as African Americans, Hispanics, and Muslims. In Washington D.C.,
500,000 marchers galvanized around the cause. They carried signs, sang songs, and chanted “Yes,
We Can.” BHS history teacher Joyce Carey attended the march. “All [of] the women were inspirational and hopeful,” explained Carey. “[I] felt love and patriotism. We wanted to fight for our nation.” Protester Maureen Duffy flew from Illinois to participate in the Women’s March in Washington. She was overwhelmed by the huge crowds that flooded on to the Mall. “There were people from many different com-
munities,” said Duffy. “We had strength-in-numbers. It was empowering.” One hundred thousand people marched through the streets of Downtown Boston, including BHS foreign language teacher Abigail Abbott. “I [do not] want the United States to be a place where things are only fair if you fall into a narrow percentage of the population, and it looks as [though] that is what the President wants,” explained Abbott. “Attacks on freedoms will not be ignored. Those who
are scared have allies who value them and who will stand with them.” The Women’s Marches are just the beginning of the movement—“Love Trumps Hate.”
Photo by Olivia Celeste
Protest sign