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D.36 students to cast votes
Campaign signs decorate the hallways as students support their school mascot candidates at Greeley School. | Provided
Updated: November 1, 2012 3:09PM
WINNETKA — While their parents head to the polls on Election Day the students of Winnetka District 36 face equally tough choices when they fill out their own ballots.
Each district school will take part in elections while students become educated on each, “candidate,” and learn the democratic process.
At Crow Island School, students will vote for their favorite version of the school fight song. The school’s music teacher has been educating the kids on the various song choices and students will vote Nov. 5.
“One of the things we often hear kids say is they see negative ads with candidates not speaking respectfully of each other,” said Crow Island Principal Julie Pfeffer. “We want them to realize it’s okay to have different thoughts and beliefs. Even though your friend may like a different version of the school song we can still play and be friends.”
Students at Greeley School recently took a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo to research candidates to replace their Polar Bear mascot.
“At our welcome back ceremony (the polar bear) said he enjoyed being our mascot, but he misses his family and will not be seeking a second term,” said Greeley Principal Susan Hugebeck.
After researching various animals at the zoo, the field was narrowed down to six candidates. From there, students supported their choices at a primary assembly Nov. 18.
When primary votes were tallied the next day only three candidates remained; a Red Panda, a Giant Panda and an Amur Leopard.
Students voiced their opinions and decorated the school hallways with campaign posters for their favorite potential mascot as they head towards their Election Day Nov. 2.
“Part of our progressive education is understanding the democratic principals our country was founded on,” Hugebeck said. “It gives them a sense of how we choose a president and what their parents are going through. Through the campaigning and voting they can make an informed decision and not just vote for the one they think looks cute or their friend likes.”
The new Greeley School mascot will be formally sworn in shortly after the election and serve a four-year term. The District 36 schools will begin the process again alongside the next presidential election in 2016.
