While an opening phrase of the Declaration of Independence is, “We hold these truths to be self-evident,” America’s schools don’t take for granted that these foundational American beliefs are familiar to all students.

In 2023, Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared September to be “American Founders and Constitution Month” with the aim of encouraging all Utahns to deepen their understanding of the core principles of governance articulated in founding documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

It’s an idea Canyons School District embraces wholeheartedly. Civics education is something schools do year-round — lessons educators supplement during Founders Month by retelling the histories of key people and events synonymous with the start of our country, such as Thomas Jefferson, Francis Scott Key and the Star Spangled Banner, and Abraham Lincoln and the Lincoln Memorial. In secondary schools, students compare the purpose and functions of different forms of governance from monarchies and theocratic governments to modern governments.

“There are so many things from the legal perspective to be proud of with our Constitution. Especially when you consider, worldwide, every nation that has ever written a constitution has been influenced by the constitution written by our founding fathers in 1787 and that is definitely something to be proud of,” said Canyons Board of Education Co-Vice President Amanda Oaks at a Board meeting.

This year, student body officers from Brighton High helped put together a video breaking down the purpose behind American Founders Month and explaining key components of the U.S. Constitution.

Canyons students will also have the opportunity to participate in “The High Cost of Freedom Essay Contest.” This year’s contest will center around the “Utah Freedom Memorial” located at Sandy City Hall. The 15-foot obelisk features panels entitled “Freedom Cherished Gratefully,” “Battles Fought Courageously,” “Loss Remembered Reverently,” “Lives Altered Permanently,” and “Hope Held Faithfully.” These are the topics students will focus on for the contest. Contest winners will have the opportunity to have their essays featured on the monument and will be recognized by Canyons Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins.

Canyons Board of Education member Kris Millerberg says pride in America runs deep in the Millerberg family. She her late husband, a longtime Board member, Mont, even went before the Utah Legislature to lobby for further education about our Constitution and the work it took to build our nation. “As someone who is invested in America and Democracy,” Millerberg says, “I am proud of the work Canyons District is doing to ensure our students receive a full education about the start of our nation.”