St. Pius X Government Class Keeps Eye on Congress

Announcement from St. Pius X Catholic High School:

Earlier this week, St. Pius X Catholic High School seniors participated in a class project that demonstrated their role in a representative government.  The project, entitled “Keeping an Eye on Congress,” is a section of history instructor Sean Hiland’s American Government course.

During the process students were required to search for bills and resolutions that had been “referred to committee.”  Once students selected and researched a bill they were to use the contact information to send a letter or email to a member of Congress.  After writing the one-paragraph letter the students sent the letter or email the congressman that represents their district. 

“One of the interesting things I’ve noticed about this project over the years is how shocked many students are that we are actually emailing real members of Congress,” said Hiland, in his 11th year at St. Pius X.  “It usually takes a few weeks but many receive responses from Congress.  Some kids are upset by the government shutdown, particularly if they have friends of parents out of work because of it.”

The American Government course is designed as a basis of study about how the American political system works. There is an extensive examination of the Constitution as well as of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Citizenship rights and responsibilities are emphasized, and the policy-making process is explored in-depth. The students examine how a government is the resolution of conflicts in a way that enhances a nation's values and purposes.

Katherine Vocelka wrote the following to Senator Saxby Chambliss:

“My name is Katherine Vocelka, and I am a student at St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta. I am writing to you today to express my support of the Youth Sports Concussion Act (S. 1014). I am member of the lacrosse team for my school, and concussions are a real problem for my team. I think an increase in concussion education would logically lead to a decrease in number of concussions. Thank you for your time and consideration!