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Ms. Chappel's 2nd grade class.

Second graders in the Alabaster City Schools system celebrated the Next Great Americans Bus Tour Kickoff on Friday, Jan. 13. Meadow View Elementary School students started the program at 9 a.m., and Creek View Elementary School students started at 1:30 p.m.

“We talked about how they can become super citizens and great Americans through appreciating others, working with the community and helping one another,” MVES Principal Rachea Simms said.

During a 45-minute assembly, students waved American flags and wore Statue of Liberty crowns while watching videos, participating in sing-alongs and interacting with a live Statue of Liberty impersonator, known as “Libby Liberty.”

According to MVES teacher Dessilyn Chappell, Alabaster City Schools had originally implemented the program at Thompson Intermediate School. Chappell said MVES and CVES were approached about the program by Alabaster City Schools Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction Mark Gray two years ago.

After the assembly, second graders at both schools will learn about civics, character, financial literacy, career development and American history in a 10-week program. At the end of the program, the students will participate in a graduation ceremony.

The Next Great Americans Bus Tour is part of the Super Citizens program, which is sponsored by the Liberty Learning Foundation. Super Citizens is an immersive program that aims to teach students how to become responsible citizens.

The mission of the Liberty Learning Foundation is to honor military personnel and veterans, give out educational products that are made in the U.S. and raise money for schools and other charitable organizations in order to educate students on citizenship.

In the future, Chappell said she believes the program will greatly benefit the students who participated.

“I think that’s a great program, especially at this age,” Chappell said. “It’s introducing them to citizenship. Many of them are not aware, and I think that it’s great for them to realize their potential and all the possibilities they have.”

Simms stressed the importance of teaching future generations to be patriotic and civic-minded.

“We realize that these children are the future,” Simms said. “We want them to really know the purpose behind what this is.”

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