MONROE, Conn. — While their parents decided on the town budget Tuesday, children from Monroe’s three elementary schools pondered issues of their own. In their election, students had to evaluate the merits of three worthy programs to determine which nonprofit should receive the biggest share of their $1,200 donation.
The Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service responds to medical emergencies throughout the town, Project Warmth keeps residents warm in the winter and the Monroe Food Pantry ensures struggling families have food on their tables.
Elizabeth Richer and Katie Tolan volunteered at the ballots table, warmly greeting young voters who entered the Monroe Community Center lobby with smiles.
After receiving their ballots, the children sat behind dividers in the voting booth area to fill the forms out in private.
Melanie Kohler helped a brother and sister with the procedure and the children completed and dropped their ballots into the ballot box, received their “Future Voter” stickers, and posed for photos in front of a patriotic red, white and blue backdrop.
Asked how she voted, Adriana Sallati, 8, a Monroe Elementary School third grader, said, “EMS, because when people are sick, they need help.”
Katie Caciula brought her two children, Marius, 5, a Monroe Elementary School kindergartner, and Coraline, 3, out to vote. “I think it’s cute. They’re really excited,” she said. “My son was talking about it for weeks.”
Tiffany LoConte, a first grade teacher at Fawn Hollow Elementary School, came up with the idea for the election a few years ago and approached Michael Crowley, director of curriculum and instruction for the school district, last year telling him how the project promotes the Vision of the Graduate, emphasizing empathy, collaboration and problem solving.
“This project came out of the idea that we can take our social studies standards, look at the needs in our own community and see how our students can support the town and be actively involved citizens,” LoConte said.
A total of 673 students, representing 459 families voted with 232 families from Fawn Hollow, 149 from Stepney and 81 from Monroe Elementary.
“I think it’s going really well,” LoConte said from inside the busy lobby Tuesday. “I’m actually blown away.”
Money for the three town programs was raised through donations students brought to school on April 24, when they wore red, white and blue for their schools’ celebration of “Star Spangled Spirit Day,” in recognition of the nation’s 250th birthday.
LoConte spoke with representatives from each charity and videos on each were shown within 10 minute mini-lessons and morning announcements were used to teach children election terms such as civics, ballots and votes.
LoConte said students had good conversations about Monroe EMS, the Monroe Food Pantry and Project Warmth during recess and on soccer fields after school, in the lead up to the big vote on May 5.
Administrators and PTOs from the three elementary schools displayed “Vote Today” signs outside their buildings and LoConte thanked the Monroe Registrar of Voters Officer for lending out a ballot box and “Future Voter” stickers, as well as Crowley and Superintendent Joseph Kobza for their support of the project.
Kelly Middendorf, one of the parent volunteers, smiled upon seeing the enthusiasm expressed by the children Tuesday.
“I just thought I’d help out,” she said, “and seeing future voters in town is making me excited.”
Evelina Czarnowski brought her children, Amelia, 6, a Monroe Elementary School kindergartner, and Gabriel, 9, a fourth-grader. “I love it. I think it’s great to get them started,” she said.
Gabriel voted for the Monroe Food Pantry. “I don’t want people to starve,” he explained.
His sister, Amelia, voted for the Monroe Volunteer EMS, which went on to win first place and will receive a $600 donation. The Food Pantry, which came in second, will receive $360 and Project Warmth will receive a $240 contribution.
Of the kids’ election, LoConte said, “it’s been a really cool community effort.”
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