Students propose drama and dance clubs; board honors principals for Principal Appreciation Week

Two eighth-grade members of the district student advisory board asked the Evergreen Park ESD 124 board on Oct. 15 to support new extracurricular clubs at Central Middle School and outlined a timeline and budget request.

Evelyn Schimick, an eighth grader from Southwest Elementary, asked the board to allow Central Middle to borrow the high school stage for a spring drama production that would include students from all grade levels. Schimick said auditions would occur after winter break with rehearsals beginning in January and that the production should be scheduled before spring break to avoid conflicts with eighth-grade graduation. She said teachers had offered to help and that she had asked district staff for a budget and would ask the board to contribute as needed.

Marielle Scudder, also an eighth-grade advisory board member, described plans for a dance club to begin after the winter break featuring combinations and skills practice to support students' physical and mental well-being. Both students thanked staff and the board for the opportunity to present their plans.

The board also observed Principal Appreciation Week. Teachers and students from multiple schools spoke in tribute to principals across the district, praising visibility, relationship-building, student engagement and support. Speakers included staff representatives and students from Northwest, Southeast, Central, Southwest and Northeast schools who described activities and personal anecdotes illustrating principals' involvement in school life.

Superintendent Dr. Woodland (as introduced during the meeting) facilitated presentations and said certificates and "swag" would be distributed to administrators as a token of appreciation.

The students' requests were informational and the students asked the board to consider supporting a budget contribution; no formal board action on the clubs or a budget allocation was taken during the Oct. 15 meeting.