STOCKTON, Calif. — Students at Annunciation School in Stockton broke into cheers Thursday morning after learning a new pope had been chosen — a real-time lesson bringing the concept of papal elections to life for young learners.
Second-grade teacher Lynsie Haley had conclave coverage standing by on her phone while walking outside with her students at around 9:10 a.m. Suddenly, students noticed white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, the traditional signal a new pope has been elected.
“One of my students leaned over and said, ‘Ms. Haley, the smoke is white!’” Haley said. “We just happened to see it right then and there, and all the kids in the stairwell — everyone cheered. The fourth graders came out of their classroom.”…