ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL (ECS) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AT ELECTION SITES
For Immediate Release
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL (ECS) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AT ELECTION SITES
PITTSBURGH (Nov. 5, 2024) — As many high schoolers exercised their constitutional right to vote for the first time, students at Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) will take their civic duties a step further by serving as poll workers in Allegheny County on election day on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
With the help of ECHS’s student services team, interested students who are 17 years and older completed the Pennsylvania Student Poll Worker Interest form. This initiative provides students with a unique opportunity to participate directly in the democratic process, reinforcing the district’s commitment to fostering civic engagement and real-world learning.
The Environmental Charter School (ECS) District began classroom lessons in grades K–12 about the election process, civic duty, and government earlier this school year to inform students, encourage community engagement, and teach global citizenry. Connecting to the district’s environmental theme is a top priority as students learn how they can impact our future.
“Engaging students as volunteers allows them to participate in hands-on, experiential learning beyond the classroom.” Amanda Cribbs, Superintendent said. “ECS’s curriculum focuses on the built, natural, and social environments, all of which interact and support democracy. We’re proud of our students for stepping up to help ensure everyone in our community can vote efficiently and safely.”
ECS believes that this experience is not only an opportunity for students to serve their community but also a meaningful investment in building informed, responsible future voters and citizens.
Sara Strother, a senior at ECHS, said “The Election this year is so big, and I was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to vote because I’m not eighteen yet. I decided that I would show my support by being a poll worker.”
ECS’s CEO, Patrick Dowd, also supports Allegheny County polling locations as an elections lead and has volunteered his time since 2020.
“I was ecstatic when I learned that some of our high school students were contributing to the democratic process by volunteering at polling stations,” Dowd said. “The adults at ECS are public servants dedicated to growing citizens who are critical thinkers, and knowing that our students are getting out into the community during this pivotal time is fantastic.”
As a part of its mission to grow citizens, ECS looks forward to supporting student involvement in future elections and encourages students to have informed opinions and engage in dialogue.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Deana Callipare, director of communications
(412) 247-7970 x9200
About ECS:
The Environmental Charter School is a tuition-free, K–12, public charter school in Pittsburgh, Pa. ECS combines the academic rigor of the best public schools with a multi-disciplinary, “out-the-door” learning approach rooted in real-world problems that build active, engaged and empathetic citizens. ECS Grows Citizens.
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