I heard an interesting story on NPR last weekend and then tracked down a related article in Bon Appetit. It seems that in the old days, the really old days—pre Revolutionary War, the British would require the colonists to gather, or muster, for military training. The women would bake fruitcakes called, “muster cakes” for these occasions. After the Revolution, the same cake was baked as men gathered, or mustered, to vote, hence its current name, election cake. As a fan of history, of elections, and of cake I am considering baking one. Cake aside, I like the idea of Election Day being somewhat of a party. It is an important day for the country, a day to celebrate democracy, and a time to participate, together, in an essential ritual. If you can, take your children with you when you vote. Feeding a ballot into the scanner is not the same as stepping behind the curtain and pulling that big red lever, but it can still be a great moment together.
We have a number of events and projects planned for Election Day. Members of the 11th/12th grade history elective Elections will spend Election Day operating the “Election Command Center.” These students will monitor news outlets and social media throughout the day providing up-to-the-minute information to the high school community. I am sure that there are many other conversations and events planned for this day and, of course, the days after.
In the lower school, the fourth grade is off to a local polling place to take an exit poll, likely working with high school students. They will also be engaged in a mock election, though the rumor is that the candidates might be different than those in the national contest. In the middle school, the sixth grade spent their Big Time (half-day project times) yesterday examining a number of issues that are central to the current election, from a variety of perspectives. In addition, the middle school students will all be invited to participate in a national mock election.
These activities and the many others that I am sure are being planned will go a long way towards sharing the importance of being involved in the governing process. In addition, these activities are also a meaningful way to challenge math skills, writing skills, and the skills of data collection, analysis, and communication. Students are working to understand some very complex issues, to see the world through experiences that are not their own, and to grapple with the differing needs of a variety of communities. These are deeply engaging intellectual and academic exercises and our students will learn a great deal in the coming weeks.
I have always looked forward to Election Day at LREI. Even in this fraught year, I am sure that the school buildings will be charged with a sense of optimism for all that participating in democracy can bring. Clearly, there is also the excitement about the possibility that we could end the day with our first female president.
I won’t be at school on Election Day 2016, the first one I have missed for many an election cycle. Following my own suggestion, given to those seniors who are currently registered to vote, I have signed up to be a poll worker. I went to a training session last week and was recently informed that I passed the test. I have been assigned to work behind the welcome desk for an election district at the polling station where I vote. So, while I will miss being with my community at LREI, and will look forward to a robust discussion on November 9, I am eager to serve my home community in this very small way. We have a senior who will be doing the same, working at a polling place in his neighborhood, and at least one parent, as well.