Students from Scenic Hills and Sable Elementary Present ‘Four Pillars’ to Springfield School Board

At a Springfield School District board meeting, student representatives from Scenic Hills and Sable elementary schools presented updates on the district’s four pillars — academics, arts, service and athletics — and described activities at their schools.

The students said their schools support learning both inside and outside the classroom. “In addition to the learning that happens in our classrooms, we go the extra mile through working on science fair projects, participating in writing contests, and more,” Declan Phalen, a fourth-grade student at Sabled Elementary, said. Chelsea Bridal, a fifth-grade student at Scenic Hills, described morning peer tutoring that helps younger students practice sight words and math facts.

The presentations highlighted arts offerings such as band, orchestra, choir and after-school clubs; student speakers also described service projects and intramural athletics. Jackson Pope, a fourth grader at Sable Elementary, said Sable’s Caring Sharing event raised more than $2,000 this year and “packed 35 boxes.” He thanked the Springfield and Morton police departments for assisting with deliveries. AJ Williams and Daniel Martin, fifth graders at Sable, described six-week intramural sessions in soccer, basketball, floor hockey and other activities.

The presentations were introduced by Mr. Simic, who said the students would “share a bit about their experience,” and included the following student speakers by name: Brody Mondi (Scenic Hills, fifth grade); Chelsea Bridal (Scenic Hills, fifth grade); Declan Phalen (Sabled Elementary, fourth grade); Brooklyn Sheets (Scenic Hills, fifth grade); Madeline McCullian (Scenic Hills, fifth grade); Bridal Mundy (Sabled Elementary); Jackson Pope (Sabled Elementary, fourth grade); Olivia and Jackson Pope (mentioned together in introduction); AJ Williams (Sabled Elementary, fifth grade); Daniel Martin (Sabled Elementary, fifth grade).

In remarks after the presentations, Acting President Laughlin and other board members thanked students, families and school staff. “We just wanna take a moment and also thank your families for having you come out tonight… it’s really, really important that our board sees you,” Laughlin said. Public commenter Mike Oley also complimented the students and used his public comment time to urge the board to support local public education funding, saying, “The taxes that that that we all pay should not be going to these schools, they should be staying right here in the district to educate the students and keep the school buildings functioning properly.”

Board members paused after the presentations to take photos and invited families and staff to come forward for a group picture. The student presentations concluded before the board moved on to public comment and the business portion of the meeting.