We say our children are the leaders of tomorrow. But what if they're already leading by example?
As a society, we push for equal opportunities for all students so they may gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. They're being groomed to one day give back to our community - help define our city, set its priorities and shape its social agenda. That's always been the plan. However, there's a change happening among our younger generations that's been particularly evident this first term back at school. At a young age, these kids are already contributing to society. And in many ways they're setting an example that even their parents would do well to learn by.We've seen kids embrace the democratic process after students in 2,200 schools across the province participated in mock elections last week. They studied party platforms, learned about the voting process and cast ballots for the real candidates in their ridings. Organized by Student Vote, the program engages youth in politics and teaches them early on about the importance of voting, with the hope that they'll maintain that interest through to their adult lives. You can bet many of them went home to ask parents if they planned to cast a ballot.Students in elementary and secondary schools are also learning about poverty and the effects it can have on a child's nutrition. Last week was Feeding Toronto's Hungry Students Week and high school students took to subway stations to inform commuters about student hunger and solicit donations for nutrition programs. Grade 1 students at St. Anthony Catholic School even had a chance to learn how to pack their own nutritional lunches in a lesson with a real chef - a lesson, they were encouraged to take home to mom and dad. And next week, students will become environmental activists during Waste Reduction Week when schools challenge them to bring in waste-free lunches and to recycle their old cellphones to make sure they're diverted from landfills.Thanks to what's becoming an empowering curriculum across the school boards, students aren't so much preparing to be engaged citizens, as they are already. If it encourages them to ask questions, take action and inspire the rest of their family and peers - then take note. The next time you ask a student what it is he or she learned at school that day, it could very well be a lesson for you too.