Golden Hills Elementary School welcomed a special guest to its fifth grade classrooms as PLCS Superintendent Dr. Rikli participated in Liberty Day, a beloved district-wide tradition that marks the beginning of students' exploration of the Revolutionary War and the foundations of American democracy.

Liberty Day is celebrated in fifth grade classrooms across Papillion La Vista Community Schools each year. As part of the tradition, students receive their own personal copy of the Declaration of Independence, a tangible connection to one of the most significant documents in American history. The celebration serves as a launching point for an in-depth study of the Revolutionary War and the principles of United States government.

For Dr. Rikli, Liberty Day is an opportunity to step back into the role he held before becoming a district leader, that of a government teacher. During his visit, Dr. Rikli engaged students in a discussion framework centered on what they already know, what they want to know, and what they learned from their time together, a structure that activates prior knowledge and encourages genuine inquiry. His involvement reflects the district's belief that educational leadership is most meaningful when it stays closely connected to students and classrooms.