By: Monika Spaulding
Hoping to better educate students on how the government works in the United States of America, the state of Indiana is requiring schools to go over the election process and the importance of a democratic society leading up to the November 5 general election.
As part of the process, the history/social studies department at Salem High School has created five-days of lessons for teachers to present during homeroom over the next week. All students at Salem Community Schools, grades 6-12, will sit through lessons about this topic.
“These lessons were designed to equip our students at SHS with the knowledge to actively participate in our democracy, recognize the responsibilities of citizenship and make informed choices that shape the future of our country,” said Principal Luke Dean.
Lessons that will be discussed include: systems of government in Indiana and the United States, methods of voting, party structures, election laws and the responsibility of citizens to vote.
“It is important that we not only prepare our students to be successful after school with their own personal endeavors, but also know what civic responsibility they have in shaping the future for generations to come,” SHS Assistant Principal Nick Karr said. “Our students are in the stage of life where they define their beliefs and ideals that will only continue to become more relevant in the future, and it is extremely important that they understand the privilege and responsibility they have in participating in our democracy.”
Superintendent Jill Mires said this is not only a responsibility, but a great opportunity to educate students and prepare them to be active in the election process and democracy as a whole.
“They will learn more about how our government works, the importance of voting and the impact that they will make on their own community and our nation,” she said. “But what makes this even more exciting is our teachers collaborated together to develop these lessons which will be delivered to all students in all classrooms in grades 6-12.”