Students learn the value of voting
PANAMA CITY — The national elections can be a bit confusing to those who haven't been introduced to concepts like "campaigning" or voting, so Bay District schools are using this year's presidential election to involve students of all ages in interactive civics lessons.
At Hiland Park Elementary School, for instance, students are using the election process to choose a "Principal for a Day," while classes learn about the value of voting along the way. The effort started Oct. 20 and will continue through Nov. 3, involving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
"Our goal is to have our students participate in an election," said a mission statement shared by Principal Ilea Faircloth. "Our students will display leadership skills when choosing a teacher and a fellow peer to represent them for one day. (They) will understand the process of electing representatives to represent our communities."
Students will also learn how cast a vote and make a decision based on his/her own personal beliefs, the plan said.
"I'm pleased to say we are participating in teaching our students the importance of social studies in real life," Faircloth said in a recent email. "Who wouldn't want to be the principal?"
The upcoming elections were discussed on the morning closed circuit instructional TV show at the school on Oct. 20. The two candidates are kindergarten teacher LaTarsha Ukazim, who came up with the election concept, and physical education teacher, Steve Breland.
"They are campaigning for Principal for the Day. Our students are submitting applications to be 'drawn' as their running mate (Assistant Principal of the Day)," Faircloth said.
The school has been focusing on civics and American history lessons this year, including having teachers and staff dress in costume for Constitution Day. For example, Faircloth appeared as Betsy Ross, while Lady Liberty was portrayed by kindergarten teacher Jaclyn McNeal.
"That was our 're-do' Constitution Day, since we missed it for being out during Hurricane Sally," Faircloth said.
Candidates "campaigned" on Oct. 27-29, with their campaign managers posting to social media and school media. Voting started on Oct. 30 and will end at 1 p.m. on Nov. 3, with the winner announced before the end of the school day.
"Each teacher will allow his/her class to vote and report their numbers to the supervisor of elections," according to the curriculum plan. Faircloth noted that Bay County Supervisor of Elections Mark Anderson provided real "I Voted" stickers for each student to receive after they cast their ballots.
It's just one of many ways students at all grade levels are learning to value of voting.
For instance, teachers Byron Barlow at Mowat Middle School and Corrie McPherson at Rutherford High School both participated in a mock election curriculum program with their students recently.
And it's happening at a time when public school students in Rhode Island sued their school district for a lack of decent civics education.
"Ultimately, it’s up to us to teach our children and grandchildren about the voting process and about why each vote matters," said Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt, writing in a recent "Your Schools" column for The News Herald. "We cannot shield them from the more unpleasant aspects of politics, but we can ensure they understand what’s happening in the world around them and that they are armed with the facts they need to make educated decisions."