For over a month, I have been collaborating with the 4th grade Social Studies teacher on a voting project. Through project based learning, we had a goal to increase the percentage of people from our town who vote in the midterm elections. We learned about the amendments, the history of voting and even why the first Tuesday in November. Guest speakers shared their experiences as elected officials with us and we got inspired. Former Mayor Joe Keegan of Castleton really drove the message home. "First I was down by three votes, then two, then one...I see people on the street and they say, 'Sorry Joe I forgot to vote.'" If only they had voted...The only woman on the Schodack Town Board, Tracey Rex, spoke to us about women in politics. Assemblyman Jake Ashby and School Board member Mike Tuttle also spoke to our students.
Schodack Town Board Member Tracey Rex
Our ultimate goal is to increase the number of people who vote in tomorrow's election from the last midterm election. Given that people are supposed to go out in record numbers tomorrow to vote, we may or may not have an impact. But we'd like to think we did.
4th graders designed postcards to be distributed to every student at CES and a few made a video. Feel free to share the video. Listen to the kids. Exercise your right to vote. Don't count on your neighbors to make decisions for you.
Finally, dear Neighbor. Watch and be inspired by these young people. Then set your alarm as a reminder. See you at the polls.
We thank you.
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