Legacy students learn about civic engagement

During the week leading up to the election, elementary students at Legacy learned about civics and met with guest speakers virtually.

Sen. John Thune met with students Oct. 26 about his role as a senator, shared the importance of being involved in your community and answered questions about his life growing up in Murdo. In a normal year, Thune would meet with students in person at various school districts throughout the state. But, with work in Washington, D.C., and the pandemic, Thune met virtually.

“While we’ve definitely had to scale back in-school visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m grateful that technology allows me to visit with our state’s future leaders. With the election right around the corner, I like to talk to students about the importance of citizenship, being a leader in their communities and getting involved to make the country a better place,” Thune said.

Fourth grade teacher Kristi Desaulniers and second grade teacher Brittany Hutt arranged the week’s activities:

Monday: Voter registration and live meeting with Sen. Thune

Tuesday: Voting vocabulary day

Wednesday: Books on elections, video message on leadership from Mayor John Lawler, live meeting with Sen. Mike Rounds

Thursday: “If I were President...” writing activity across the building and video message on serving on a local school board from board president Kristen Daggett

Monday: Candidates and ballots, South Dakota statehood day - celebrating South Dakota’s 131st birthday and live meeting with Rep. Dusty Johnson

Tuesday: Mock presidential election 

The Legacy Student Council will serve as poll workers to help check IDs (lunch cards) and count ballots on Election Day. Teachers shifted civics standards that are normally taught throughout the entire school year to now to support a school-wide theme.

“Our purpose was to encourage students to recognize both the right and responsibility of being a civically engaged citizen, which is also one of our four goals of the Tea Area School District,” said Legacy Elementary principal Samantha Walder.