STUDENTS HAVE A VOICE

During a strained and tenuous election, whether we’re discussing local, state or national candidates, finding information about the candidate’ platforms and plans for once they are in office, is difficult if not impossible. This election year — more than ever — we need our voters informed and aware of how candidates are going to manage covid and provide our communities with the services they need.

Acknowledging the challenges of bringing people together for debates, Dave Sickert, Executive Director of NOUN, came up with another solution. Dave reached out to the Sonoma Valley United School District (SVUSD) candidates and suggested having students interview them virtually. Dave’s idea included filming the interviews for board members, faculty, voters and students to easily access prior to the election.

Encouraged by their teachers and principals, students from Prestwood and Sassarini schools did their research, wrote questions and conducted inquisitive live video interviews. The student-led discussion covered extensive topics from how to help homeless students to improving long distance learning. A lively discussion ensued, where the four candidates provided candid feedback and specific steps to address the issues discussed. Each candidate was genuinely interested in finding out what the students thought in how to improve their schools and learning experience.

Thanks to their hard work, these students have provided a new way of learning about a candidate’s platform. Now, students and voters across the SVUSD are able to see and hear what each candidate plans to do for the district. To watch or listen go to www.nounnet.work/svusd

NOUN enables students — working with their teachers — to create curriculum connected online content they and others learn from.

Designed to foster curiosity and develop questioning skills, NOUN inspires kids to look deeper into their school subjects and interests.

To hear more about, NOUN, contact Dave Sickert, (415) 301–9836‬, email:info@nounnet.work.