CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Students in Kanawha County have a chance to be a voice for their schools thanks to a new effort.
In a meeting last week, the Kanawha County Board of Education introduced its new leadership team. Students on the leadership team will be able to work with school administrators to voice student concerns, build relationships, and make their schools a more welcoming place.
Participating students either applied themselves or their respective administrators asked them to participate.
Paula Potter
“One of my goals is to try to get more student voice in our decision making because you all are the reason we’re here,” Superintendent Dr. Paula Potter said at the board meeting last week. “I’ve been so amazed at this group of students.”
The over two dozen students on the leadership team worked together to create a mission statement, which reads:
“To empower student voices within the Kanawha County education system, ensuring that the administrators both understand and address student concerns for a more positive, impactful learning experience, shaping the development of the future of KCS initiatives.”
Co-presidents of the leadership team Miley Mullins — a sophomore at Nitro High School — and Blake Levitt — a senior at Riverside High School — laid out the goals for the group
Mullins said the first goal is to make sure every student’s voice is heard.
“We want all students to feel like their ideas matter. We will create ways for everyone to share their thoughts, help plan activities, and get involved in making our schools better,” Mullins said.
She says another goal is creating a safe and welcoming school community.
“We will work together to prevent bullying and make sure everyone feels safe and accepted. We will have support for anyone who needs it, along with a buddy program for students in the self-contained, ID and AU programs, so these students can feel more included in the student body,” she said.
Levitt laid out the third and fourth goals from the leadership team. He says they want to help students get the resources they need and build school spirit.
“We’ll make sure that students know how they can get things like school supplies or hygiene items if they need him,” Levitt said.
“We will organize fun events and show appreciation for both students and teachers. We want to recognize the hard work that our teachers and students do throughout Kanawha County and create a positive and supportive atmosphere in our schools,” he continued.
While not all the team’s specific endeavors were discussed, Potter did say that the students would be collaborating with parents of students with special needs on a new friendship program.