Now that you have some extra time on your hands, since Arizona’s Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction announced that all Arizona schools will be closed, you may need to find some new things to do. Don't worry, we have you covered. Here is a list of some fun but still educational activities.

• Participate in the Law Day Contest
• Learn more about civics by playing icivics
• Compete in the 9^th Circuit Civics Contest 
• Weigh in on What Do You Think?

Enjoy!

Arizona has a new law that targets saving young lives, Jake's Law. Jake's law is named after Jake Edward Machovsky who died by suicide in 2016 at the age of 15. His family had tried everything to help their son, including sending him to stay at mental healthy facility when he was suffering from suicidal thoughts. However, insurance only covered a short period of time that his parent's knew wasn't long enough to help him. After Jake's death, they discovered that due to an insurance mistake Jake had not been given the life saving care that he had been entitled. Distraught over the loss of their son, Jake's parents set to changing the law so others would not have to experience the same grief of losing a loved one. This new law makes many positive changes in mental health care including: requiring insurance companies to cover mental health treatment just like they would a physical, creating the Children's Behavioral Health Fund and allowing for easier access to mental health care in schools. Providing access in schools will help treat the 20% of people age 13 to 18 who are dealing with a mental illness. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness if you are having suicidal thoughts call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Arizona, one of the youngest states in the nation is 108 years old today. It was the last of the 48 continuous states to be added to the union on February 14, 1912. Our young age is just one of the many features that makes this state unique. There is a long list of things that make use different and Arizona has made some of those things official. For example Arizona has official state neckwear, the bolo tie. We also have an unusual official native animal, nope not the coyote, the ringtail an animal with a long stripped tail that is related to the raccoon. If you would like to learn more about some of the things that make Arizona unique read, Officially Arizona.

January 30^th, 2020, marked a historic event in iCivics history when it hosted their first ever virtual iCivics AZ Regional Tournament. Over 300 students across Arizona participated in the event. Students competed in teams and played the online iCivics game Counties Work. Counties Work is a games that has players manage local government, evaluate citizen requests and maintain a balanced budget. Of the 109 teams that participated 16 will move on to the State E-Tournament that will be held on March 3^rd, 2020. To see a list of those competing in the state tournament click here or to try Counties Work for yourself.

The Arizona We the People State Competition was held on Friday, January 10^th at Mesa Community College. The We the People program simulates congressional hearings where students testify as constitutional experts in front of panels of esteemed judges; often legislatures, judges and lawyers. Ten high school teams competed in the competition from all across the state but ultimately, at the end of the day, Mountain View High School reclaimed their first place title. Mountain View will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to compete in the We the People National finals. Our second place winners, Corona del Sol High School, will also have the ability to join them this year as Arizona has received a Wild Card allowing Arizona to bring two teams. Hamilton High School took third and Gilbert Classical Academy took fourth place. Congratulations to all who competed and Good Luck to those who get to compete in D.C. 

If you would like to get involved with the We the People Program talk to your teachers to see if you have a program at your school. Need more information about how to get a team started? Click here and fill out the contact us form.

Starting December 24th many Arizonans will be able to start using consumer fireworks. Fireworks have been on sale since the 10th but aren't allowed to be used until the 24th without being fined. Remember only certain fireworks are legal to find out which ones go to our My Streets page. You can also see a picture of the different types of fireworks here. Have a safe and happy holiday!

The Arizona Court of Appeals sentenced a 17 year old to a 140 year prison term. Mark Kasic Jr. was “found guilty of 32 felonies arising from six arsons and one attempted arson” according to the Arizona Capital Times. However, what makes this case interesting isn’t the crime but the choice of sentence imposed by the court. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to impose a life sentence on juvenile offenders who do not commit homicide. While the Court of Appeals did not technically sentence Kasic to a life sentence some are wondering if a 140 year sentence is essentially the same thing and for that reason should not be allowed. What do you think? Do you agree with the judge who doesn't think the Supreme Court's rule applies to this case or do you side with the Supreme Court? Talk with your parents and let us know on our Facebook page.

Starting December 10th the winter fireworks season officially starts! Individuals 16 and over will be able to buy fireworks, but before you set off to find a stand you may want to view our My Streets map to see if fireworks are legal in your area. It should also be mentioned that while you may be able to purchase fireworks from December 10th through January 3rd you will only be allowed to set them off from December 24th through January 3rd.

A couple of University of Arizona students are bringing Street Medicine to the homeless. "Justin Zeien, a third-year medical student at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, and Jeffery Hanna, a graduate student in the Clinical Translational Science program at the college, created Street Medicine Phoenix in May 2017 after learning about similar programs in other metro areas." Street Medicine is a program that provides free medical assessments, care and resources to the homeless around Phoenix. According to StreetMedicinePhoenix.org, "Student volunteers and faculty preceptors represent a variety of professions such as medicine, physician assistant, nursing, social work, nutrition, public health, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychiatry. These students come from schools all across Arizona to help assist this vulnerable population and make a difference to individuals who might otherwise would not be able to receive this care. Street Medicine Phoenix shows the difference students can make when they identify a problem and come up with a solution and that you don't have to wait until you are "older" to do it. In fact students just like you have been making a difference  in their communities, just like Street Medicine Phoenix, through a program called Project Citizen. Project Citizen is a portfolio-based civic education program for grades 5-12. It helps teachers and students understand public policy and use this information to create change in their community thereby empowering them and their teachers. Find out how you can bring Project Citizen to your school and start making a difference today.