A sense of belonging

Traditionally, Creston Middle School student government was something students were voted to. This year, Principal Lesa Downing wanted to find a way to get more students involved - to give them a voice.

High school and middle school talented and gifted (TAG) teacher Danielle Flores has facilitated the change from student government to student council.

“We’ve been picking groups of kids to come in and be leaders for the school,” Flores said. “There’s about 30 kids in seventh and eighth grade. Each month, kids can go out and a new group of kids will come in, or a new group will come in if everyone wants to stay on.”

The student council meets at least once a week. “We are planning the dance, we plan the character rally where we make an agenda, we talk about things going good for the school, things we might want to change or make better,” Flores said. “We talk about the culture of the school - how are kids feeling, how can we make them feel more accepted?”

The monthly character rallies are put on by student council after teachers nominate students of the month. The kids are recognized for being a good student. Student council members get out in front of more than 300 students, parents and faculty to speak. “That takes a lot of courage,” Flores said.

Recently they have been inviting high school student leaders to be guest speakers at the rallies. “We’ve got some football players, basketball players, some that don’t do sports but are involved in activities, some in the arts,” Flores said. “We’re having them come down and talk about what it means to get involved in your school. I just think it’s really good for the kids, the more they think they belong in the school and have a sense of belonging. They can find their group or interest that they want to go on with. I think it’s really good to encourage that so that’s what I’m trying to do with student council right now is bringing to light what all they can get involved in.”

Student council runs all the concessions for the middle school games. Flores said she’s been talking with students about having school spirit. She is encouraging the middle school kids to have a student section at their events like at the high school.

“You want all kids to feel like they belong and like they’re a part of their school community.” Flores said. “I know that’s my goal with the kids - making sure like everybody has a group they feel like they belong to.”

Going forward, sixth graders will be able to be on student council by teacher nomination. They are also looking for ways to get involved in the community through acts of service.

Leadership is not only a big part of student council, but also for the TAG program. Flores has been the TAG teacher for the middle and high school for more than 10 years. Her mother, Lauris Heinzel, began the TAG program during her 30 plus years in education.

“She taught me everything she did, and I’ve built on that,” Flores said. “My personal goal is to have every kid be successful.”

Flores said there’s a lot students take away from being involved in student council. “It really teaches them no matter their circumstance, they can be a leader. No matter their history, even if they’ve gotten in trouble, they can move forward, become a leader, become a role model and do good for the school,” she said. “When good things happen, they take ownership of being a part of it. I think when you give kids ownership in their learning and in their environment, they step up to the challenge and are successful.”