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The presidential election looks a little different at this Arundel school

The presidential election looks a little different at this Arundel school

The presidential candidates are gearing up for Wednesday’s Around Us School debate. From left to right, the candidates are: Alfi Boyd, 9, Avery Peacock, 8, Rose Merrill, 11, Lucy Lukacs, 12 and Callum McCrum, 11. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

One of the leading candidates for president is Avery Peacock. She has been a successful fundraiser, a confident debater and is 8 years old.

With the 2024 presidential election just days away, students at School Around Us, a co-learning program for homeschooled 4-year-olds. at 2 p.m. in Arundel, watching debates and getting ready to vote — for a student president.

They will vote on Tuesday in an engaging lesson that mirrors the national election.

The school around us was established in 1970. Each student is a registered home student in the state of Maine and may be enrolled full-time or part-time in the program. The tradition of school elections is more than 20 years old. The vote is a classified election, as are many of Maine’s elections. Over the past several months, students have assembled their campaign team, designed posters, revised the school’s constitution and are hosting fundraisers.

“I think it’s good that I have a chance at leadership at such a young age,” Avery said in an interview before the debate.

She raised $400 in a bake sale fundraiser. Half will go to the Kennebunk Food Pantry and half will fund her campaign promise of a pizza and ice cream party.

At the beginning of the semester, students nominated others for the presidential race. Every student participates in the process in some way: as a candidate, campaign staff member, or journalist. Twelve candidates competed in the primary, but only five remained: Avery; Alfie Boyd, 9; Rose Merrill, 11; Lucy Lukacs, 12; and Callum McCrum, 11. They represent parties such as The Potato Party and The Explorers Party.

At a debate Wednesday, they sat at a long table in front of their colleagues, passing around a microphone. Candidates read opening statements on notebooks, then answered serious questions about inclusion, being a good friend and breaking school rules.

Alfi promises expanded production space and investment in the playground. He campaigns on humor, friendship and unique activities in nature. Rose said her open mind and spirit of exploration set her apart as president. Lucy proposes increased kitchen products for the bakery studio. And Callum wants more courses that encourage teamwork and critical thinking.

A few popular ideas came up in many responses: interest in a new tetherball (the ball has been missing for months) and a slumber party at school.

“One of the things I promise to do is replace tetherball,” Lucy said in response to a question about the school’s adherence to the value of inclusion. “I think this will benefit every student. When we had tetherball, I saw everyone who wanted to play get a turn and I think that would be helpful OR by creating another space for kids to connect and have fun.”

Avery Peacock, 8, center, hands back the microphone after answering questions as fellow candidate Rose Merrill, 11, right, applauds Peacock during the mock election debate. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

The winner of the election can design two full days of classes. They can put half of their fundraising money toward school improvement projects promised in their campaigns, and they can also help drive decisions about how the grant money is spent. They will also be given a voice at a weekly school meeting.

Amy Wentworth is one of the school’s lead educators. She has experienced six student election cycles and said students learn what the running process is like, but beyond that, it’s also a good leadership lesson.

“It kind of changes their attitude to school, and I’ve seen kids who maybe didn’t notice something before, but now that they’re put in this potential role, they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s not such good behavior. , that’s not the best choice’ and they take a step. It’s kind of a natural way for students to be held accountable for their actions,” Wentworth said. “Because of that experience, they are put in that leadership position which is what we would hope for, but because of the electoral process they take it a step further.”

The actual presidential candidatesNames are never mentioned in this lesson, but teachers say the election helps students understand what they’re hearing about outside of school and connect the dots once they’re old enough to vote.

Ruby Alley was elected Vice President in 2008. She now teaches the youngest age group at School Around Us.

“It taught me more about my own citizenship in the world,” Alley said. Her election coincided with Barack Obama’s first presidential victory. “It was so powerful to go through that process and then be able to see it happen for the country.”

She said the school generally focuses on civic duty, and this lesson is just one manifestation of that philosophy.