Student representatives report school achievements, events and ask for AI guidelines

Student representatives from Central High, Scitech, Conservatory of the Arts, Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, Renaissance High School, Springfield Public Day and Springfield Virtual School used the committee’s student advisory time to report academic and extracurricular highlights and to request clearer guidance on student use of artificial intelligence.

The presentations gave a cross-section of senior-year activities, school celebrations and student-led programming that district leaders and committee members heard directly from students.

Central High senior Khaled Zamani said Central seniors are working to exceed last year’s scholarship total and noted the school’s renovated natatorium has reopened. Zamani described JROTC accomplishments: first place in dual drill, second in regulation and color guard placements at national competitions and that Central earned the distinguished honors designation in its Air Force inspection for the first time in six years.

Camara Diaz, senior class president at Scitech, highlighted the school’s first virtual town hall that allowed students to pose questions to school leadership, an upcoming multicultural fair and a prom “store” that will provide free dresses and tuxes and free hair and makeup services on prom day for students who need them.

Jared Rivera Heredia, a senior at the Conservatory of the Arts, promoted upcoming performances: a second showing of The Addams Family musical and a dance showcase, and described a community paint event tied to the district’s “portrait of a graduate” pillars.

Putnam Vocational Technical Academy senior class president Ava Moore outlined college decision supports, a science night with UMass Amherst Engineering School, a student-run talent show and a prom vendor night intended to lower barriers for seniors.

Renaissance High School student representative Brian Avila described recent financial-literacy curriculum elements for 11th graders, college tours, job fairs and the Phoenix Rising showcase that will allow students to present selected classwork.

Springfield Public Day senior Adrianna Reyes said advisory lessons covered driver responsibilities, the stock market and budgeting; she also highlighted PBIS success and a student-run school store that helps students learn workplace skills.

Springfield Virtual School representative Serenity Martinez outlined virtual-school events including an annual spring family event and a yearbook launch. Martinez reported that members of the district IT department visited the student advisory council to solicit student input for an AI task force; students asked that the district create clear, affirmative rules about accepted AI uses, guidance on plagiarism implications and access to tools that help them verify and use AI-generated outputs constructively.

Committee members thanked the students for their reports and highlighted the value of direct student input on policy questions such as AI usage.

The student advisory segment concluded before the committee returned to regular business.