MONROE, Conn. — The adults of Monroe won’t be the only ones casting ballots on Tuesday, May 5th — the elementary students of the town will be too. In order to teach civic engagement, Fawn Hollow first grade teacher Tiffany LoConte designed a unique voting and fundraising opportunity for the town’s three elementary schools.
During the week of April 20th, the students learned about three important community organizations that support our town: the Monroe Food Pantry, Project Warmth, and Monroe Emergency Medical Services. On April 24th, the schools hosted a “Star Spangled Spirit Day” to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday and raised $1200 for these important causes.
On Tuesday, May 5th, special voting booths will be set up at the Monroe Community Center before and after school so that our K-5 students can choose which organization should receive the most funds. This voting experience allows students to practice the responsibilities and rights of citizenship by making informed decisions about community needs, a key learning topic in elementary social studies.
Students are welcome to vote from 7 to 9 a.m. or 3 to 8 p.m. The first place winner will receive 50-percent of the funds raised, second place 30-percent, and third place 20-percent. Voting alongside their families will support the important lesson of democratic choice and will help our neighbors along the way.
