Our Stories

Here at MILTON, one of our sacred duties is to help prepare students for these moments of walking into the unknown with faith, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and wisdom to become who the world will one day need them to be. To that end, we have been busily preparing students for the election this week, as well as for our Veterans Day programs in a few days’ time. We take pride in their capacity for civil discourse and their abiding sense of civic responsibility, while always seeking to deepen both of those essential citizenship skills. 

In a world rife with soundbites and echo chambers, we seek to support our students in practicing civil discourse and going beyond a superficial understanding of another’s perspective. This orientation toward respectful engagement in hard conversations is embedded in learning Jewish texts, but also in how we interact with other historical and contemporary primary sources. Students in 8th grade have been engaging with a range of ‘raw materials:’

• After the presidential debate, students watched video clips of the candidates’ responses to issues including immigration, Russia-Ukraine, the war in Israel, reproductive choice, and climate change. Using a written protocol, they then analyzed how the candidates answered and what evidence or examples they used to support their argument.
• Students are reading and comparing/contrasting the Democratic and Republican platforms for 2024. They are analyzing the preamble, tables of contents, and the sections on education, immigration, and foreign policy. It has been revelatory for many to understand the respective values and priorities of each party.
• Students studied historic presidential campaign ads and learned about propaganda, ultimately recording their own campaign ads.

Throughout North Campus, students completed lessons with their principal and teachers on civil discourse and civic engagement. Each grade learned a developmentally-appropriate definition of civil discourse, practiced tools and skills, and discussed the importance of conversing civilly within a wide range of perspectives.

In Grade 5, the Liberty Bells held a model election for class (stuffed) pet between Bruce the Shark and Ruby the Elephant. The debate, voiced by teachers, answered students’ questions about key voter issues such as recess, homework, quizzes, and snacks. Students made campaign posters for their preferred candidates, with some even switching their endorsements partially through the debate. Today, students voted for their official selection.

Election studies have been further integrated throughout the curriculum. In Grade 3, students leveraged their burgeoning knowledge of assigned states to better understand their roles in elections via the electoral college. This can be seen outside their classrooms, where each state’s electoral college vote will be recorded and tallied. Over the course of the year, Grade 1’s Sifriyah (library) lessons seamlessly weave in how marginalized populations have historically won the precious right and responsibility to vote. Election math has been integrated throughout the curriculum and our libraries’ election and civics collections have been well-loved over the last month.

Finally, to ensure that every student’s voice is heard at MILTON – and in honor of the return of the other pandas to DC – each class PK-8 nominated a name for our panda mascot. Today, students voted confidentially in booths, engaging in an early version of the quintessential act of democracy, and proudly wearing their ‘I Voted’ sticker afterward. Each grade has an allocation of electoral votes relative to the number of students in that grade, and the winning name (ask your kids) was announced at the end of the day by Panda video!

Whenever I vote, I experience a little of the hopeful sense of the unknown for which Lech Lecha prepares us. But I also tear up every time – in awe of the power and possibilities of democracy – and with faith that we will become whoever we need to be to navigate what lies ahead.

Veterans’ Day at MILTON

As a school, we are also deeply committed to recognizing veterans of the United States Military who have dedicated their lives to protecting this promise of America, to defending our right to self-determination, and to ensuring our safety as we exercise our voting rights. On Friday November 8, in particular, students across both campuses heard the stories of our veterans and honored their service to our country. 

Elementary school students participated in a program where they heard from a number of veterans who shared their stories, highlighting the values of service, caring for others, and patriotism. After hearing from the veterans, many students wrote letters to thank veterans. For instance, third graders wrote letters to veterans in the state they are studying for the State Fair. 

Middle school students had the opportunity to hear from retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and leadership coach Reginald Bullock, and the experience was remarkably positive and transformational. The students were riveted by Mr. Bullock’s explanation of his commitment to service, approach to “controlling” time by making the most of every moment, and embrace of personal joy and possibility that can be accessed and optimized. Students asked him thoughtful questions about his life experiences and about finding purpose and motivation.

To be the only Jewish day school in DC is likewise a privilege and a responsibility, a mantel we wear proudly and take seriously in prioritizing our civic engagement, civil discourse, and belief in American ideals.