Tom W. Peters Elementary is one of the Union schools located within the city limits of Tulsa’s neighbor, Broken Arrow. During this national election year, Peters’ students have been exposed in their daily lives to political ads, discussions and news stories. Peters Elementary teachers believe it is their responsibility to help students understand this political process in an honest, unbiased manner.

This school year, Peters Elementary has chosen to illustrate the election process by teaching students, first-hand, about America’s two-party political system. For the first time in school history, the principal of the school, Jennifer Randall, will allow “Duck,” a fictional character based on the children’s book, Duck for President, by Doreen Cronin, to challenge her for the principalship. The Panther Party will be supporting Ms. Randall. “Duck” will run against her as representative of the “Quacker” Party. Students will have the opportunity to register to vote in the election. Along the way, they will be inundated with campaign messages and commercials. They’ll even get to witness a live debate between the two candidates. After weighing the party platforms, students will make an educated, informed decision and vote for the new principal, who will be sworn in at an Inauguration assembly by the Superintendent of Schools. An all-school Inaugural Ball will follow on the same evening. Randall comments, “We hope that students will come away from this election with a better understanding of the voting process and a greater appreciation for our democratic rights and responsibilities as citizens.”

Learn more about Tom W. Peters Elementary :

• Visit their Web site.

Last updated: Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 04:23:52