Cartwright middle-school scholar council seeks more beverage choices, new extracurriculars after student survey

Members of the Cartwright Elementary School District superintendent scholar council presented a student-driven report asking the district to add juice and water to lunchtime beverage options and to expand extracurricular offerings at middle schools.

Victor Rodriguez introduced a video and the scholar council’s presentation, and Dr. Ruiz (district staff) moderated the council’s report. The student council said it conducted a survey of 2,009 responses across district schools and prioritized extracurricular requests. "Something that I will be taking from this whole entire experience is knowing that I can make a difference even as a student," one student council member said during the presentation.

Survey results presented by the council showed culinary classes had the highest level of direct interest (1,006 "yes" responses, about 50.1%), photography and e-games also ranked highly (each with roughly 565–575 "yes" responses). The council said it also worked with food services and operations staff and that the students had already helped secure additional lunchtime beverage options during the school year. The council described two next steps: use student input to shape next year’s extracurricular offerings and continue to partner with staff to implement beverage choices.

Board members praised the scholars’ work. Governing Board Member Miss Cantu called the students' effort "a wonderful job," and Dr. Ruiz was credited for shepherding the council. Administration said the presentation was a shortened version of a longer in-person presentation the students had delivered and that the district will use the results to inform next year’s extracurricular planning.

The presentation did not include any formal board action; it was an informational item and part of the evening’s recognitions and student reports.