By kids, for kids in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – Given a chance to lead, Clarke School fourth-graders stepped up Friday and helped younger students have fun by dressing identically or like their teachers or favorite athletes.Drawing on a several-year-old Clarke tradition, the school?s fourth-graders planned Friday?s dress-as-you-please day and organized participation by younger students. Kindergarten best friends Mia Bailey and Elissa Karametsopoulos wore matching “Frozen” sweaters while several fourth-graders copied their teachers by wearing purple tops and pearl necklaces.Other students banded together to wear their favorite local sports team jerseys or, in the case of kindergartners Dustin Schnayder, Ayden Schmitt and Dean Collins, mold their hair into short-lived mohawk styles.The end result was predictably fun, said kindergartner Dante Nunez.?You can?t tell who is who,” Nunez said.Lily McMahon and fellow fourth-graders gathered in morning meets before their school day began and planned out “Look-Alike” day with students looking forward to dressing like their friends.Classmate Kyle Lucas said Friday was a less serious but equally fun opportunity to set an example as one of Clarke?s oldest students. His student leadership skills also translate into assisting younger students at lunchtime.?I like helping out other people,” Lucas said.Clarke Principal Jennifer Hunt said theme days, including “100-year-old Day” and “Career Day,” give Clarke students a chance to have fun after winter?s heavy snowfall and cold kept the children from playing outdoors.?We were inside for weeks,” she said.Hunt?s office wall is adorned with a “because nice matters” sign her mother gave her when Hunt launched her teaching career. That philosophy is the core of Clarke?s fourth grade leadership initiative.?They help me with school announcements and other jobs: They are leaders,” she said.She is confident “kindergarten buddies” and other efforts Chloe Freddo, Gianna Dalelio and other students are involved with will translate into leadership skills the fourth-graders carry into the middle school next year.?I like being a good role model,” agreed Freddo.