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The nation’s 250th anniversary will come with a civics lesson for some San Mateo County students.
San Mateo County Superior Court is inviting local educators to schedule visits that will bring judges, attorneys and other law enforcement leaders into classrooms across the county as part of a statewide civic education initiative.
The court will focus its visits during Constitution Month in September, with the goal of reaching at least 250 K-12 public school students by the end of 2026.
The effort is part of California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative and its POD250 Challenge, which encourages judges across the state to connect with students as California commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In San Mateo County, judges and local attorneys will visit classrooms with interactive half-hour presentations on constitutional rights, the rule of law and the role courts play in everyday life. Visits can include discussions, mock trials and opportunities to ask judges and attorneys questions about the legal system.
“Our goal is not simply to reach 250 students, it’s to build lasting relationships with our schools and community,” Judge Renee Reyna, chair of the San Mateo County Court Community Outreach Committee, said in a statement.
Reyna wants to use these visits to make a legal system that can often seem alien more understandable to students by giving them a chance to speak directly with the people who work in it.
“When students have the opportunity to meet a judge or local attorney, ask questions, and learn how our courts serve the public, the justice system becomes more accessible, understandable, and relevant,” Reyna said.
The court is encouraging teachers to schedule visits early. Its September push will coincide with Constitution Month, though the broader POD250 effort will continue through the end of 2026.
Judges and attorneys may also visit schools to administer oaths to newly elected student government or club leaders, depending on availability. Those ceremonies can be conducted in English or Spanish.
The classroom program builds on the court’s broader community outreach efforts, which are aimed at increasing understanding of the judicial system and reaching students, families, community organizations and historically underserved populations.
For Reyna, the classroom visits double as a chance for judges to hear how young people think about the ideas they encounter in court.
“Children have an innate sense of the world and justice,” Reyna said, adding that she often finds herself learning from students “through their curious questions and wise observations.”
Teachers interested in arranging a classroom visit can sign up at powerofdemocracy.org/pod250 or reach the court’s community outreach office at communityoutreach@sanmateocourt.org.
This story was written by Christopher Vinasco for Bay City News.
