Campaign 2022 — Crocodiles vs. Wolfe Pack

NORWALK — Norwalk Catholic Elementary sixth-graders have been working on a campaign to elect one of their fellow students Principal 2022. The lesson, led by teacher Riley Conway, started as a fun journal prompt and turned into an entire campaign that all sixth-graders have embraced. The seed of the campaign In early November, Conway instructed each student to write a short speech to share with their tablemates about why they should be the elementary school principal. After sharing, each group selected one peer to be their nominee. Riley's class then challenged the other sixth-graders from Mrs. Wolfe's homeroom to campaign and compete. Their challenge was accepted and each classroom transformed into a campaign headquarters: the Conway Crocodiles and the Wolfe Pack, with six teams/candidates each. To prepare for the primary, each team made a commercial that outlined their platform, and the issues they would address if elected. Each headquarters then held a caucus-style discussion, led by their classroom constituents. On Friday, Nov. 11, the students held a primary vote and two candidates emerged to represent the two political parties: Jacob Collins, representing the Conway Crocodiles, and Noah Alt, representing the Wolfe Pack. The classrooms' headquarters then began preparing for the General Election. The 28 students in each homeroom were divided into six groups, which focused on different tasks to prepare for the candidates' campaigns: debate prep, speech writing, budget and corrections, signage, advertising, video campaign commercials, and a website. Each candidate had the use of campaign funds, and their teams were instructed to use them wisely to promote each candidate via school announcement ads, in-person candidate visits, and hallway billboards. Down to the wire The two nominees will square off in an official debate at 10:20 a.m. Thursday. The event will be moderated by Norwalk Catholic President Martin Linder, who will introduce the candidates and ask them a series of relevant questions. Elementary students in Grades 1 to 6 will be in attendance. After watching, students will be offered a desk sign, like a yard sign, to show support for their preferred candidate. The process will conclude on Election Day next Tuesday with first- through sixth-graders voting at six different polling locations around the school. The winner will be announced that afternoon, prior to departure. The winner will receive the honor of becoming Principal for the Day, alongside Mr. Linder, and their homeroom will win a dressdown day. "I am immensely proud of all of the sixth-grade students' hard work and their excitement about the democratic process," Conway said.