Cheltenham High School's Leadership Conference
66 Students from Cheltenham High School worked together in 8 groups to come up with 8 different proposals to be considered by a mock Cheltenham board.
The 8 proposals were: combating the achievement gap; expansion of the senior independent experience; improving facility maintenance; raising PSSA performance; the negative impact of proposed block scheduling; monitoring an open campus at CHS; creation of a green campus at CHS and; healthier food choices in the cafeteria.
The mock school board was composed of the presiding president of the school board Tina Viletto, CHS principal Dr. Elliot Lewis as well as members of the faculty and administration from the Cheltenham School District, other Cheltenham school board members, CHS students and PennCORD's own Joanna Richman. This wonderful event was hosted by PennCORD alum Anne Spector, who did a marvelous job setting up, organizing and baking desserts for the assembled guests and participants.
Students answered questions from the mock board concerning the necessity and viability of their proposals. One proposal, improving facility maintenance, is being addressed by the school district and the talking points the students used were integrated into the districts plans to improve school facilities. The group proposing ways to raise student performance on the PSSA were invited to Harrisburg to make their proposal to the PA Department of Education.
The Leadership Conference was designed by Ms. Spector to give the students practice in advocating for students at CHS and instruct students on the school board process through which proposals, like theirs, are subject to before they can be implemented. All the students were extended an invitation from Ms. Viletto to come to the school board meetings so their voice can be heard.
All of the groups gave excellent presentations that were at once pertinent, well researched and humorous to students and adults alike.
The 8 proposals were: combating the achievement gap; expansion of the senior independent experience; improving facility maintenance; raising PSSA performance; the negative impact of proposed block scheduling; monitoring an open campus at CHS; creation of a green campus at CHS and; healthier food choices in the cafeteria.
The mock school board was composed of the presiding president of the school board Tina Viletto, CHS principal Dr. Elliot Lewis as well as members of the faculty and administration from the Cheltenham School District, other Cheltenham school board members, CHS students and PennCORD's own Joanna Richman. This wonderful event was hosted by PennCORD alum Anne Spector, who did a marvelous job setting up, organizing and baking desserts for the assembled guests and participants.
Students answered questions from the mock board concerning the necessity and viability of their proposals. One proposal, improving facility maintenance, is being addressed by the school district and the talking points the students used were integrated into the districts plans to improve school facilities. The group proposing ways to raise student performance on the PSSA were invited to Harrisburg to make their proposal to the PA Department of Education.
The Leadership Conference was designed by Ms. Spector to give the students practice in advocating for students at CHS and instruct students on the school board process through which proposals, like theirs, are subject to before they can be implemented. All the students were extended an invitation from Ms. Viletto to come to the school board meetings so their voice can be heard.
All of the groups gave excellent presentations that were at once pertinent, well researched and humorous to students and adults alike.
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26: Student Advocacy Kit
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