By Andrew Hackmack
They took part in a nationwide mock presidential election on Monday.
Though the results didn't figure in the selection of the nation's 44th president, the students felt good about being able to choose their favorite candidate. "It's important to vote, because when you vote, you can show that you participated in an election," said fifth-grade student Anjelica James.
In choosing a candidate to vote for, Anjelica said she wanted someone who would look to stop the war in Iraq, but someone who won't abuse his power. She said she had an idea about whom she would choose for several months. "I heard them on TV because my dad is always watching CNN," she said of the candidates.
Her classmate Robert Sangirardi said his father has talked to him a lot about who the candidates are and what they stand for. Robert said his parents' views played a major role in his selection.
Students participated in the online voting through Studies Weekly. As each child sat at the computer, he or she saw a screen with pictures of Barack Obama and John McCain and clicked on one or the other to record their vote.
A map of the country was projected on a SmartBoard in the school library, showing which states were leaning which way. By mid-afternoon, most states were blue, signifying more votes for Barack Obama. Linda Biley, one of the teachers who helped organize the election, said one state in particular stood out for students. "A lot of them right away noticed that Arizona was blue," she said, referring to John McCain's home state.
Biley said that when students returned after Election Day, they would be able to compare the results of the nationwide student vote with the actual election. As each one voted on Monday, Biley and fellow organizer Christine Brenneis gave them "I voted" stickers. The teachers hoped that the stickers, coupled with the children talking about their experience at home, would encourage their parents to vote the following day.
Brenneis said that after months of studying the election, students came to school on Monday ready to vote. "I think a lot of them came in knowing who they wanted," she said, "since it's been covered in class."
Fifth-grade teacher Anita Richter said that she has spent a lot of time talking with her students about the election, including reviewing how the Electoral College works and where Obama and McCain stand on the issues.
Although students take a state social studies exam in fifth grade, Richter said that did not affect the extent of her discussions of the election with her kids. "We're teaching it so they understand what's happening in our country," she said.
Joanne Park, a fifth-grader, said she learned a lot about the candidates through her classwork and wanted to select a candidate who would do the most good for the country. But she didn't want to say whom she voted for - she's keeping that a secret.
William Kuang said he learned a lot about McCain and Obama by reading the newspaper and listening to the radio in the morning. "My parents told me that every vote matters," he said.
Robert Sangirardi noted that even though the focus of their studies was the presidential election, that's not the only job that is won through a democratic process. "Voting is very important in a lot of things, for governor, mayor or even a class senator," he said.
In fact, Monday was also the day Buck students voted on their student council leaders. "It draws that correlation between our country and our school," Principal Mark Onorato said.
Comments about this story? AHackmack@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
