Three third-grade classes were judged on their reading and listening skills when three judges from the Charles County Circuit Court visited Eva Turner Elementary School for the Reading & Robes program. The program promotes literacy and civic education among children.

Judge H. Jay West, administrative judge of the Charles County Circuit Court, and associate judges Donine Carrington-Martin and Monise A. Stephenson of the circuit court attended the event to read and speak with students about the importance of the judicial system. The three read “Jade the Judge,” by Shequitta Kelly Joubert, to students in Turner’s third-grade classrooms. The story is of a smart 8-year-old girl with a big dream. She tells the story of a judge through her eyes.

Students, Charleigh Matthews, Liam McKay and Amari Cary, introduced and welcomed each judge in their respective classrooms before the reading and learning began.

“The neighborhood I grew up in is next door,” West said when introducing himself to Taliah Lawson’s third-grade class. “I am very humbled to read to you all today.”

Students learned about the role and the importance of a circuit court judge during the visit with the officials. “A judge is someone who helps individuals with legal problems to help give them a legal solution by listening,” West said.

Stephenson mentioned how the role of a judge helps families going through the process of divorce. “We help them figure out what will happen with their house, retirement money and most importantly, the children,” she said.

James Blakeney, Turner’s Community School coordinator, organized the program at the school after seeing Stephenson at a Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) community resource event last year.

“The Reading & Robes program promotes and reinforces that reading is valuable and fun,” Blakeney said. “The judges helped build motivation and positive attitudes toward reading, which is key to literacy success.”

In each classroom, the judges shared personal stories, their daily life in the courthouse and how they spend their time outside of the courtroom. “I like to spend time with my children and husband,” Carrington-Martin said. “I like to read and go on vacation with my friends in the summertime.”

Students were encouraged to continue to listen and were reminded of their special place in the world as ones who are “unique, awesome and worthy of respect,” West said. “The enthusiasm of the kids is the best part,” he said. “There are very few places that you’ll find such enthusiasm.”

Stephenson chimed in and said that she continues to participate in the program for the children and the community. “We can engage and let them know the different processes in the community and maybe when they grow up, they can be a juror,” she said.

“We see the worst of the worst in our field and in school the students are happy,” Carrington-Martin said. “It is fuel to keep going.”

Reading & Robes is an initiative of the National Judicial College with the Maryland program made possible through a grant from the Maryland Bar Foundation and the American Bar Association Education Fund as well as other partners.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 39 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).