Sponsored by:
Senator ANTHONY M. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
Senator JON M. BRAMNICK
District 21 (Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Gopal, McKnight and Diegnan
SYNOPSIS
Requires school districts to include information on September 11th attacks in social studies curriculum; requires public schools to hold annual events commemorating September 11th attacks.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning instruction on the events of September 11, 2001, in schools, and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A school district shall include age-appropriate instruction on the events of September 11, 2001, in the curriculum of elementary school, middle school, and high school as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.
b. The instruction shall provide students with information on:
(1) the historical context of the attacks;
(2) a timeline of the day as the events unfolded;
(3) the heroic actions of the police, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders in the rescue and recovery of the victims, and the heroic sacrifice of the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93;
(4) the outpouring of humanitarian, charitable, and volunteer assistance and support that occurred immediately following the events of that day, and strategies for successfully instilling those traits in daily life;
(5) the global response to terrorism following the events of September 11, 2001, and its effect on living in the post-9/11 world, including the delicate balance between the need for safety and security and respecting civil liberties; and
(6) strategies for teaching tolerance and accepting and embracing people of different religions and cultures.
c. The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote awareness of the events of September 11, 2001.
2. The week of September 11th of each year is designated as “September 11th Remembrance Week” in the State of New Jersey. During “September 11th Remembrance Week” of each year, a public school shall organize commemorative events, including, but not limited to, charitable activities, that will enhance student awareness of the events of September 11, 2001. In addition to providing students with information concerning the events of September 11, 2001, the commemorative events shall provide students with age-appropriate opportunities for discussion on conflict resolution, diversity, and tolerance for people of different religions and culture.
3. September 11th of each year shall be observed as a day of remembrance in the public schools of the State to honor the heroes and victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and to encourage thoughtful discussions on tolerance and recognition of the religious and cultural diversity of New Jersey residents.
4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply in the first full school year following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the events of September 11, 2001, in the curriculum of elementary, middle, and high school students as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies. Under the bill, the instruction will provide students with information on: the historical context of the attacks; a timeline of the day as the events unfolded; the heroic actions of the police, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders in the rescue and recovery of the victims, and the heroic sacrifice of the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93; and the outpouring of humanitarian, charitable, and volunteer assistance and support that occurred immediately following the events of that day, and strategies for successfully instilling those traits in daily life.
The bill also requires each public school to annually organize commemorative events that will enhance student awareness of the events of September 11, 2001. The bill provides that the events will take place throughout the week of September 11th each year, with this week being designated as “September 11th Remembrance Week.” In addition to providing students with information concerning the events of September 11, 2001, the commemorative events will provide students with age-appropriate opportunities for discussion on conflict resolution, diversity, and tolerance for people of different religions and cultures. Finally, the bill establishes September 11th as a day of remembrance for public school students.