R.J. Bailey Students Create Election Campaigns and Exercise Their Right to Vote on Two Important Issues: No Homework Day or Extra Recess Period

Just because RJB students aren’t old enough to vote in the Presidential Election doesn’t mean they don’t have a voice in what matters to them. For the launch of this month’s IB Unit, How We Organize Ourselves, GCSD continued to seize the opportunity of election season to educate students about the democratic process and the importance of exercising their right to vote.  IN this case, fifth graders participated in a special election activity where they campaigned and voted on one of two platforms: No Homework Day or Extra Recess Period. “This IB Unit looks at how systems work, like rules in the classroom, jobs in a workplace, or ways to help each other in a family,” said Cassandra Buckhout, IB Coordinator for RJB. “We wanted to create a special activity for students that was connected to the election. This fits perfectly, and it’s a fun way to engage students in the election process.”

Students wrote campaign speeches and created posters; two students even went the extra mile to make campaign videos.  In-person presenters took to the podium and microphone on the RJB auditorium stage in today’s assembly with confidence and conviction as they made compelling arguments. On both sides, the campaigners were clearly passionate about their positions. Nava argued that No Homework Day will benefit RJB students more than Extra Recess Period because there isn’t always enough time to relax or do something fun when you have after-school activities. In her video, she also warns her classmates what can happen when you get stressed out from doing homework, crazy hair! 

On the other side of the issue, Devin pointed out several reasons why Extra Recess Period is the better choice. “Recess is a way for me to enjoy myself while also being able to converse with friends. Furthermore, if you have a friend in another class, recess provides the opportunity to spend time with them,” he said. “Lastly, recess means lunch is just around the corner, so you can eat and continue to socialize with friends. In closing, I hope you’ve been persuaded to vote for extra recess in this 5th grade election since options are never ending!”

Fifth graders listened carefully to each of the presenters, and at the conclusion of the assembly Ms. Buckout informed the students that voting will take place in the classrooms. Sensing it was going to be a hard decision for these elementary students, she offered this advice. “You’ve listened to their reasoning and arguments, take the time to think about your decision,” she said. “You have a say in what will be best for the grade.” 

Votes were tallied near the end of the school day, with the results being announced just before dismissal time. In what turned out to be a very tight race, No Homework was declared the winner with 58 votes to Extra Recess’s 56.