Teachers at PORTA certainly are excited about what happens in their classrooms, but seeing students outside the classroom gives them a new perspective on those students and opens opportunities for those students to shine in a different arena.
At PORTA High School, one such opportunity is Student Council. Sponsored by English teacher Andrea Hart, student council presents annual events such as Homecoming and Teacher Appreciation Week. “I enjoy seeing kids outside the classroom and especially enjoy getting to know them when it’s not directly affecting their grades,” Hart stated.
One of student council’s primary purposes is to foster camaraderie between and amongst students, and Homecoming is all about getting kids together, especially kids who might not typically interact much. The themes, games, and class challenges during Homecoming offer students an opportunity to bond with classmates as they come together and feel more a part of their respective classes.
Student Council President senior Brooklyn Kesler, a student council member since 7th grade, enjoys both Homecoming and Teacher Appreciation Week. In speaking of the latter, she reflected, “They [teachers] do a lot, and it’s a wonderful chance to say ‘thanks’ to the people who work hard every day for us.”
Hart and Kesler agree that Student Council can be stressful when activities are going on, but point out that membership in Student Council is a great way to meet new people and to learn how to work together with those people. Kesler identifies the biggest challenge in Student Council as “finding a time for everyone to meet because Student Council kids are very busy. Still, as president, I’ve learned how to lead a group of people to get things done.”
Student Council also serves the school as a whole. Members of Student Council have served on the handbook committee; helped adjust dress codes; developed requirements for attending Homecoming; provided mediation between students; and approved new clubs. “Student council members have a chance to offer input on things that go on at school,” commented Hart.
Hart also pointed out that being in Student Council is not as time consuming as people think it is. “We’re not busy every single day of the year. Our work comes in events or specific activities, and students can pick and choose which activities or events coordinate with their schedules. Except Homecoming and Teacher Appreciation, of course,” she grinned. “Everyone is on board for those.”
Hart encourages students to think about joining Student Council. Each year, students may submit a petition for election in one of the forty spots—ten from each class--which are available for membership. The petition consists of twenty student and six faculty signatures and requires a 3.0 GPA.
“We have fun; and, any role that you take on that shows your ability to function as a leader looks great on resumes. All of us need to have leadership skills—here’s a place to develop them,” said Hart.
At PORTA High School, one such opportunity is Student Council. Sponsored by English teacher Andrea Hart, student council presents annual events such as Homecoming and Teacher Appreciation Week. “I enjoy seeing kids outside the classroom and especially enjoy getting to know them when it’s not directly affecting their grades,” Hart stated.
One of student council’s primary purposes is to foster camaraderie between and amongst students, and Homecoming is all about getting kids together, especially kids who might not typically interact much. The themes, games, and class challenges during Homecoming offer students an opportunity to bond with classmates as they come together and feel more a part of their respective classes.
Student Council President senior Brooklyn Kesler, a student council member since 7th grade, enjoys both Homecoming and Teacher Appreciation Week. In speaking of the latter, she reflected, “They [teachers] do a lot, and it’s a wonderful chance to say ‘thanks’ to the people who work hard every day for us.”
Hart and Kesler agree that Student Council can be stressful when activities are going on, but point out that membership in Student Council is a great way to meet new people and to learn how to work together with those people. Kesler identifies the biggest challenge in Student Council as “finding a time for everyone to meet because Student Council kids are very busy. Still, as president, I’ve learned how to lead a group of people to get things done.”
Student Council also serves the school as a whole. Members of Student Council have served on the handbook committee; helped adjust dress codes; developed requirements for attending Homecoming; provided mediation between students; and approved new clubs. “Student council members have a chance to offer input on things that go on at school,” commented Hart.
Hart also pointed out that being in Student Council is not as time consuming as people think it is. “We’re not busy every single day of the year. Our work comes in events or specific activities, and students can pick and choose which activities or events coordinate with their schedules. Except Homecoming and Teacher Appreciation, of course,” she grinned. “Everyone is on board for those.”
Hart encourages students to think about joining Student Council. Each year, students may submit a petition for election in one of the forty spots—ten from each class--which are available for membership. The petition consists of twenty student and six faculty signatures and requires a 3.0 GPA.
“We have fun; and, any role that you take on that shows your ability to function as a leader looks great on resumes. All of us need to have leadership skills—here’s a place to develop them,” said Hart.