Students report state-level wins; South Middle students show how ‘Southside Publications’ serves their school

Student board representatives and a delegation from South Middle School updated the Waukee Community School District Board of Directors on extracurricular achievements and a student-run publications advisory.

Student representatives reported athletics and activities results: Northwest boys basketball advanced to a state semifinal, girls’ teams reached deep postseason rounds, both Waukee and Northwest varsity mock trial teams qualified for state, and several bowlers and performers received statewide honors.

Principal Joe Spies introduced South Middle School’s Southside Publications and credited faculty facilitator Jen Gelt. Several students described their work: “My name is Gwen Tormey and some of the things we do here are we make posters for a variety of different things that are going on at our school. We also create the yearbook for the year, and we make TV slides,” Gwen said.

Students said the group meets daily during advisory, is selected at the end of the school year, and functions as a leadership advisory. Ally McConnell told the board the group prioritizes inclusion of student ideas in slides and the yearbook. Sidhu Vijayavarman said the publications group collaborates with staff across the building; John Ervesty noted the group creates visual lunch menus that help new and ESOL students identify food choices.

Harper Inbody described collaboration with art leaders for yearbook covers and how student-shot photos are assembled: “in these yearbooks we work with the art leaders for the covers on the yearbook and we use those photos that we've taken all through the year and put them inside this yearbook,” she said.

Why it matters: students said the publications work supports communication (daily TV slides and framed cafeteria menus), builds leadership and technical skills, and creates archival yearbooks. Southside Publications participants told the board they use iPad cameras for photography and meet daily during advisory time.

The board thanked the students and Principal Spies for the presentation; no board action was required.