By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Wearing Statue of Liberty crowns and waving mini American flags, second and fifth grade students at Forest Oaks Elementary School cheered as “Lady Liberty” talked to them on Sept. 25 about a program they will participate in this semester.

Over the next 10 weeks, the students will learn about character, financial literacy, civics, democracy and American history through music, videos and other classroom activities offered through Liberty Learning Foundation’s Super Citizen Program.

“Boys and girls, all of you hold the most important title that anyone can every hold, and that title is citizen,” said Cynthia Green, vice president of educational resources for Liberty Learning Foundation and Liberty’s Legacy. “As a citizen of this country, you’re already a valued member of different communities.”

Students will engage in activities related to the program once a week for 40 minutes with their teachers, who have been trained to facilitate the Super Citizens Program.

The kick-off assembly FOES students attended on Sept. 25 was part of The Next Great Americans Bus Tour.

Liberty Learning Foundation representatives will return to the school for a celebration at the end of the 10-week period, during which each class will select a person in their community to honor as a “super citizen” who is making a positive impact.

“You have an important role in these communities, and you need to do something to make a difference in the community every day,” Green said to the students. “There are all kinds of things you can do, even as a kid. It starts with you.”

Green said the program is also taking place at Chelsea Park Elementary School.