In this election season, our third graders are diving into the importance of voting and how it works. “Through read-alouds like Vote for Our Future, by Margaret McNamara and Micah Player, and The President of the Jungle, by André Rodrigues, Larissa Ribeiro, Paula Desgualdo, and Pedro Markun, students are learning how voting empowers voices in America,” shares Third Grade Teacher Dodie Baker.

On Election Day, third graders put their knowledge into practice by organizing a mock election to determine San Domenico’s favorite cookie! The candidates were chocolate chip, M&M, and snickerdoodle, with the option for a write-in treat like churros or brownies.

“Each student from kindergarten through fifth grade visited the ballot boxes set up in the Lower School Courtyard and cast their votes,” explains Baker. “Third graders served as election officials, running the polling station and counting the votes. Now that the results are in, our kitchen team plans to bake the winning cookie for everyone to enjoy: M & M cookies!”

“It was an exciting, hands-on way for our students to understand civic engagement,” continues Baker,  “and to celebrate the power of their voices and their votes.” 

This is a way for the students to be participating in an election in a meaningful way. And if your cookie doesn’t win, you are still respectful.
Cyndi Trapanese, science teacher

I’m definitely voting for snickerdoodles.
Arianna P., ’34

It was hard to vote...because I hadn’t decided until I actually got my ballot.
Jacob A., ’36

It’s hard to decide - all the cookies are so good.
Reyna M., ’33

Working the polls was more fun than voting. I liked getting people to sign in, and I like to know that people get to vote.
Cooper W., ’34 and AJ R., ’34

I felt powerful.
Hendrick B., ’33