Friday, October 3, 2008

Students Leading the Way

This week our Fall Student Leadership Team met after school. Students submit an application to participate in the Student Leadership Team and include ideas for activities and projects for the year. We have had so many students interested in being part of the Student Leadership Team that we had to split them into a Fall Leadership Team and a Spring Leadership Team. It's nice to know that we have so many students interested in developing their own leadership skills and in making good things happen for our school. I have always said that we really need to listen to children. They have so much to teach us. On the application, we asked students to give us some ideas for projects that they would like to see in place this year. I am so impressed with their ideas. Here are some of them:

HELP OTHERS
Have big kids work with little kids
Help new students adjust to the school
Encourage others to be hard workers
Collect food donations for the needy
Raise money for charity
Include others
Respect the school and others
Get more kids thinking about leadership
No bullying
Make it easier for the little kids to be safe
Bring in extra school supplies for children who need them
Promote diversity
Include others
Start a support group for bullied people and help them make new friends
Do something for the community

PLAN ACTIVITIES
Overnight Read In
Caring/Helping Day
New Friend Day
Spirit Days
Movie Night
Compliment Day (I want kids to be nicer to each other)
Eat lunch outside
Have fun activities and stay healthy
After School Grounds Clean Up
Plant flowers
Have a week dedicated to animals and conservation
Service projects
Fundraiser to earn money for the library
Healthier snacks in the cafeteria
Play calm music during work time
Include birthdays in the morning announcements
Have a full time computer teacher
Music during lunch
Recycle
Start a Writing Club
Start an Invention Club
Fitness Club

Sometimes we are so busy building schedules, planning instruction, setting up classrooms that we can't hear the voices of our students. We have to create opportunities for children to be heard.

WE NEED TO QUIET OUR OWN MINDS LONG ENOUGH TO REALLY LISTEN.