With new office, student leaders get a bigger voice at Weymouth High School

This is an interesting article that I read in the Patriot Ledger after our discussion about giving students a voice.

Teachers, administrators working to increase student leadership

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By Allison Manning

The Patriot Ledger

Posted Oct 29, 2009 @ 04:35 AM

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WEYMOUTH —

When Weymouth High School Principal Anthony Pope has an issue with the student body – from lateness to littering – he doesn’t just rely on his fellow administrators.

He walks down the hall to his office of student leadership, where class officers, members of the student senate and student advisory committee now work together.

“Any issues we have in our schools, we want our students to be part of the solution,” the second-year principal said.

Each of the organizations previously operated independently and had their own missions and tasks. Now, they’re working collaboratively and with the administration. Together, the more than 30 elected leaders in student senate, on the student advisory committee and in class office have a much louder voice.

“I know they’re right down the hallway,” Pope said. “I’m convinced our kids, our students, have the best ideas and can help us do things.”

When a student needed approval for a community-service project this year, Pope got a second opinion from the student leaders, including leadership office coordinator Mark Ellis, a senior.

Last year, the student advisory committee helped clarify the finals policy in the school handbook. The leadership office will become more involved in the handbook review process each spring.

For the students to have an office is symbolic – it gives them a place among administrators, Pope said.

“It’s mainly an area for students to come voice their concerns and also to have more communication between each organization,” said Ellis, who has served as a leader in all three groups.

Getting the class officers, student senate and student advisory committee members on board was the biggest initial challenge, Ellis said. Now, the leaders are working on coming up with a cohesive mission for the office.

Next year, Pope hopes to offer a student leadership elective, which would allow students to staff the office throughout the day, to be a resource to their peers and the staff.

Regular meetings will be scheduled, and the office will be given specific tasks.

For Pope, the office is a teaching opportunity, part of the school’s effort to graduate productive citizens.

“We want to send leaders away from Weymouth High School,” he said.

The push isn’t unique to Weymouth. Increasingly, schools across the country are turning to students for ideas and solutions.

“If anyone has the pulse of our school, it’s the kids,” Pope said.

READ MORE about Weymouth High School.

Allison Manning may be reached at amanning@ledger.com.