Kids get their say in District 30

Though they did not step inside a voting booth, students at Shaw Avenue School and throughout District 30 were able to have a choice during the district budget vote on May 17. Several dozen kids had big smiles and excited faces in the school’s computer lab, choosing their favorite option between having a Hawaiian luau, pajama day, or outdoor picnic lunch next month.

“I think it’s an important and valued lesson that they have a voice and that their opinion matters,” said Lisa Delcampo, a computer lab aide at Shaw.

Before students chose a picnic lunch as their top choice, they appeared to be having a ball. Fourth-grader David Fede was very happy to be a part of the activity. “It was cool to vote,” he said.

And Jonathan Grant, another fourth-grader, said he not only enjoyed voting, but also was excited about seeing his drawing of birds on display in the night’s art show.

His dad, Derek, was happy to see him participating. “It’s a fun action,” he said of voting. “Lots of times, kids feel like they have no voice being small. It’s nice to have a choice.”

Parent Amanda Lewis helped her son, Christopher, a third-grader, vote. “I think it gives them a better understanding of the democratic process,” she said.

More than 500 students voted district-wide.