Kerr Social Science Deparment sponsored a Mock Election on Election Day in the Kerr Library. Classes rotated through the Library to vote for President and one Proposition. Students were prepped by Social Science teachers on voting and decision making and Parents were asked to assist.
The Joseph Kerr Middle School Social Science teachers, upon returning from their holiday vacations, were determined to use the Southeast Asia tsunami disaster as an avenue to bring world and social awareness to our students. The teachers work, through the lessons of history, to help students develop a "social consciousness". This disaster brought about many discussions of geography, history, and science. It also brought about much empathy for the people of Southeast Asia. We concentrated our efforts on the children, using information from UNICEF, finding that $2.50 could buy a child a "School-in-a-box" kit that included notebooks, crayons, pencils, scissors, etc. Fourteen dollars could buy a chalkboard. $87.00 could buy a basic water kit for ten households. Our Kerr students empathized with the displaced and homeless children with an overwhelmingly generous response. In 5 days, the classes collected $1000! The Joseph Kerr Social Science teachers are mighty proud of the seventh and eighth graders.