5th Graders to Vote for Connecticut’s First Kid Governor: Pilot Program of Connecticut’s Old State House to hold elections week of Nov. 2

View as PDF

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov


Hartford, CT – In just a couple of weeks, during the local elections, Connecticut 5^th graders will participate in a statewide election to vote for the state’s first ever Kid Governor – and all eyes will be locked in on the hotly contested race.

Fifth grade classes across the state have been invited to participate in Connecticut’s Kid Governor, a pilot program created by Connecticut’s Old State House. Some classes have chosen to vote in the statewide election, while others are voting and nominating a student candidate from their school to run for Connecticut’s Kid Governor. Candidates for Kid Governor will submit a campaign video about a community issue that’s important to them, as well as a 3-point plan designed to help other students take action on the issue.

Connecticut’s Old State House will review the submitted videos and make the top seven available for public viewing. The final candidates’ peers from across the state will then view and analyze the videos during Election Week (November 2 - 6, 2015) as they prepare to cast their vote for Connecticut’s Kid Governor.

Connecticut’s Old State House will announce the winner of the Kid Governor election during the week of November 9 and he or she will be formally inaugurated at the Old State House at a later date. The winning student will serve as Connecticut’s Kid Governor for a full year and be provided the opportunity to take part in programs at Connecticut’s Old State House, encourage students across the state to take action on their selected issue and more.

“We’re very encouraged by the enthusiasm that’s been building around this program. Kids really care about their communities and this program teaches them how they can make a difference by participating in civic life,” said Brian Cofrancesco, Head of Education at Connecticut’s Old State House. “We’re looking forward to election week.”

Connecticut’s Kid Governor – both the pilot program and student winner – are vehicles for teaching students civic skills and community mindedness statewide. The goal of the program is to inspire students to be lifelong agents of change, active participants in government and eventual registered voters. As such, the goals of the program align with the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills and Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools’ goals for the 21^st century civic learning and citizenship. Along with Connecticut’s Kid Governor and Connecticut History Day, Connecticut’s Old State House offers interactive and participatory school programs that are aligned with Connecticut’s new Social Studies Frameworks and focus on the history of the Old State House, the role Connecticut played during the 18^th and 19^th centuries, civic participation and how government works.

Further press releases on the election and events related to the program will be distributed in the coming weeks. To learn more about Connecticut’s Kid Governor, visit the program’s website at ct.kidgovernor.org. Information about Connecticut’s Old State House and its other school programs can be found at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

Located in historic downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The Connecticut’s Old State House Shop, located on the Main Street side of the building, provides visitors an opportunity to purchase quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, products and apparel. Visitors can also shop online at shop.ctoldstatehouse.org. The Old State House Farmers Market will remain open until the end of October. The market provides visitors the opportunity to shop for locally grown produce and Made-in-CT crafts on Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information on admission prices, school programs, upcoming events and parking discounts nearby, become a fan of Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or visit us online at http://www.ctoldstatehouse.org.