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STEM students describe leadership program to Richfield school board
Summary
Principal Kelly Woods and student leaders from Richfield STEM Elementary presented a student leadership program Jan. 6, describing regular meetings, volunteer assignments and schoolwide projects and telling the board the program increased student voice and connection with younger students.
Kelly Woods, principal of Richfield STEM Elementary, and student leaders described a year-round student leadership program to the Richfield Public School District board during its Jan. 6 meeting.
Woods told the board the program is aimed at "increasing student voice" and giving older students leadership and mentoring opportunities. "We meet at least two times a month" and students have responsibilities including morning announcements, volunteering in the cafeteria, media center and classrooms, and schoolwide projects, Woods said.
Two students who addressed the board described what being a student leader looks like in practice. "I like helping others," 5th grader Miriam Coma said. Coma said she volunteers in music class and mentors younger students, which she said "helps them feel connected to the school and community." Fourth grader Quinn West said student leaders deliver daily morning announcements to all-school gatherings and that one of the group's projects this year is improving the courtyard so classes can learn outdoors.
Staff who run the program described participation requirements and how leaders are selected. Mr. McMillan and Ms. Gurden said the program is open to all interested fourth- and fifth-graders; students complete an application, must meet attendance expectations for meetings and complete a volunteer requirement. McMillan said volunteers must attend about 85–90% of meetings and complete 20–25 volunteer sessions. Gurden described assignments in kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms, the cafeteria, custodial support and the media center.
Board members praised the students and asked how the district removes barriers for families who cannot provide transportation or snacks after meetings. Woods and staff said parents have been "very receptive to picking their kids up or carpooling," and noted the district’s Dreams Academy after-school program provides bus transportation on certain days, allowing more students to participate. Gurden said teachers and staff sometimes provide snacks for volunteers.
Board members encouraged the principal to continue the model and suggested the student leaders could be role models for future student representatives to the board. The board thanked the students and staff for their presentation and invited them to return in later years as student representatives.
The board did not take formal action on the program at the meeting but directed staff to continue outreach and to provide logistics information if needed.
