As America prepared for a new president to take office, Carrollwood Day School took a day last week to look back on a historical campaign. ...more

January 21, 2009

As America prepared for a new president to take office, Carrollwood Day School took a day last week to look back on a historical campaign. ...more

January 21, 2009

As America prepared for a new president to take office, Carrollwood Day School looked back on a historical campaign on Monday. The private school hosted its first political forum, the brainchild of high school humanities teacher Kenneth Grodd. He assembled a nine-member panel with seven teachers and two students who spoke about election issues before a middle and high school audience. They dissected why Barack Obama won and mistakes John McCain made during the campaign. They talked about how the environment, the economy and the Middle East affected voters' choices, and what was ahead for Republicans and Democrats in the future. "This is part of that rigorous education that we owe you," high school humanities teacher Kelly Benedetti told students at the assembly. Teachers want to go beyond a traditional high school curriculum and force them "into the world that awaits you," she said. Carrollwood Day School offers an International Baccalaureate program for all of its students, from preschool through high school. International Baccalaureate follows a global curriculum and emphasizes community service, culminating in an intensive diploma program in high school. Stephen Orbison, who coordinates the school's diploma program, moderated the political forum and said it was a great way to recap a campaign season that was "electrifying, exhilarating and polarizing." "One cannot deny the 2008 campaign has rejuvenated interest in American politics," Orbison said. ...more

January 14, 2009