Beginning at the start of the 2022-23 school year, the Middle School has implemented Student Leadership Luncheons. These lunch meetings are held monthly to get input from students at each grade level on the following questions:
What makes you proud to be a student at HFLMS?
What is one thing that we should change at the MS? Why? How?
How can I continue to support you as Principal?
According to Jason Juszczak, Middle School Principal, outcomes of these meetings have made changes to certain systems and inclusion of other community experiences at school. These groups have made structural changes to Middle School’s student of the month process, as well as proposed community events such as winter pep rallies.
“The luncheons were something that I started as a part of my entry plan. I asked the same questions to staff over the summer as I was getting to know them,” said Juszczak.
The students are recommended by School Counselors and the number of students at the luncheon could range from 7 to up to 15. Some things that they were responsible for:
· Advancement of PBIS Action Steps
· Communication
· Community Gatherings
· SEL Check-Ins
· Teaching and Learning
Students helped to redesign the Middle School Student of the Month program by changing the name and how students could be considered. Historically, student of the month was based on grades, but students advocated for more recognition for demonstrating Habits of Mind.
“We used to have "Great Acts" cards that teachers would send home, which students appreciated, but students said they were not being sent home consistently,” said Juszczak. “We used this feedback to revamp the cards to be aligned to the Habits of Mind, and we did a positivity campaign where teachers filled-out and sent home at least one card a week during the month of November. The list of students that received the cards was used to help us select our "Cougars of the Month," the new name selected by the students.”
Students asked if the television in the lobby could be used for more than just projecting the lunches and the clubs. A student designed a powerpoint background for the Cougar of the Month and that is used to show a picture of the student and what they did to earn that recognition.
When asked, "What have been experiences that you have had this year that you really appreciated?", students responded that they liked when they gather as a full community. In previous years, this was just the fall pep rally. Students have since recommended a winter pep rally.
According to Juszczak, students also shared that they appreciated feeling connected to adults, and that more regular check-ins from the adults would be helpful.
When asked, "What makes you proud to be a student at the Middle School?", the students consistently talk about the teachers. They describe that teachers are caring and willing to help any student in need, teachers build connections with students and care about them personally, and that teachers are creative and have provided engaging learning experiences in the classroom.