As a a teacher of social studies and a member of our democracy, I am impressed with the work of Citizenship Counts. We all benefit from an educated citizenship.
I have had the privilege of observing the Citizenship Counts staff members work so efficiently and professionally with the USCIS and Federal Court officials to undertake meaningful naturalization ceremonies with junior high and high school students jointly celebrating with the new citizens and their families. Each of my experiences at these ceremonies is unique and meaningful.
Keep up the good work!
Citizenship Counts has inspired and supported my students to appreciate their responsibilities as citizens and to celebrate cultural diversity. Our middle school has been hosting a Citizenship Day for the last few years. The highlight of the event is a Naturalization Ceremony where fifty candidates from thirty countries take their oath of citizenship. Throughout the day, lessons designed by Citizenship Counts that are aligned to the Core Curriculum engage the seventh graders and support their learning.
Last year my son's school participated in this wonderful program. We live in a small community which usually doesn't have access to special programs and opportunities like this one. My son and his friends loved the naturalization ceremony and meeting people from all over the world as he said this inspired him to want to travel the world and help other people come to the U.S. so they can make their dreams come true. Thank you Citizenship Counts and Gerta Klein for this learning experience.
I worked with Gerda and her group on this when she visited Laredo. We collaborated with the local citizenship groups to have our students help with the citizenship ceremony. It was a wonderful experience. I would love to do it over and over again.
Citizenship Counts is a terrific organization that honors immigrants who choose to become naturalized citizens. The spirit of Gerda Weissman Klein and her undying love of being a naturalized American citizen speaks volumes about the organization, its intent and principles practiced at Citizenship Counts.
At a time when knowledge of good citizenship is so badly needed, schools across the nation in recent years have abandoned those courses that provided students with this vital knowledge. Citizenship Counts has in a sense more than filled this vital void by offering teachers and their students a comprehensive and relevant curriculum that ensures students who are fortunate to have taken it in both junior and senior high receive this vital knowledge. So far in such a short time this program has spread to over 150 schools across the nation. Its success is just one indication of its quality and effectiveness.
This is such an important issue, especially in today's environment . Our directors are so committed to making sure there are opportunities for all schools in the country to use the citizenship counts materials
Anything that Gerda Weissmann Klein is involved with is incredible! She is truly a great American hero who has inspired me and thousands of my students over the years. I am excited to integrate this program in my school next semester.
I love everything about Citizenship Counts! This organization is needed now more than ever. Its so important to teach our youth to cherish all of the freedoms we have and appreciate the freedoms we have so that they don't take it for granted. The lessons are awesome as they focus on themes and lessons that are real-life and that students can really relate to. They are very interactive, innovative and easy to use! Kudos to Citizenship Counts!!
Citizenship Counts addresses the most momentous role we hold in society, that of citizen. It inspires students to become active and thoughtful participants in this democracy, and highlights the inspirational role of immgirants in our history and society.
Citizenship Counts is one of the most exciting, innovative and important civic learning programs in the nation. Citizenship Counts helps students understand and appreciate the immigration and naturalization process. The Program is very important to our youth understanding the many important contributions made by the successive waves of immigrants to the United States. Citizenship Counts is both effectively and efficiently managed. The service component of the Program is service learning at its finest. The Citizenship Counts Program makes very important contributions towards helping all young Americans develop the civic knowledge and skills necessary for engaged citizenship.
Ted McConnell
Executive Director
Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
