2004 Middle School Day

Thursday, April 29, 2004 at The Learning Corridor and Hartford Magnet Middle School

For the first time, CFAR is jointly sponsoring the Middle School Day with a middle school!

The Hartford Magnet Middle School is right in the heart of the famous Learning Corridor on the edge of the Trinity College campus in Hartford . We've garnered a superb group of discussion leaders on three of the important pillars of the First Amendment:

Education

Professor John Brittain of Thurgood Marhsall Law School , Texas , who initiated the litigation over the Hartford School systems lack of a quality and integrated education witl address the issues of a quality education for every citizen and the need of quality education in our urban and rural areas and --I have to look this up--I'll add it

Students’ Freedom

Professor Martin Margulies of Quinnipiac College of Law, Hamden CT who often litigates First Amendment cases in Connecticut .  He will talk about student rights and their limitations in dress, speech, writings, publications, the pledge of allegience and others.

Freedom to Read, Write and Not Have Your Books Banned

Bestselling author Katherine Patterson, of Gilly Hopkins and Bridge to Terabithia fame, talk about her experiences with writing and the banning of her books and why she could not write them differently and be true to herself and her characters.

Come prepared to participate in the question period (follow the link and look over the First Amendment materials). More information on author Katherine Patterson is available on her website, www.terabithia.com.

Enjoy the continental breakfast, meeting teachers and students from other schools, and see Ms. Patterson's books on display --in paperback-- and buy them if you wish.