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Bloomfield Hills students propose K—12 networking initiative to teach communication and mentorship skills
Summary
Two board interns from Bloomfield Hills High School presented a proposed district-wide, age-appropriate "student networking initiative" to teach foundational social skills in elementary grades, real-world communication in middle school and professional networking and mentorship at the high-school level. The board amended the agenda so the students
"Good afternoon everyone. My name is Sofia Tomina." "I'm Zena Jindali. We're both juniors at Bloomfield Hills High School, and we're this year's board interns," the students told the board at the Oct. 27 meeting as they introduced the networking initiative.
The pair said they observed limited opportunities across the district for students to develop networking and relationship-building skills and proposed a K—12 program that builds incrementally: elementary activities to teach teamwork, listening and collaboration; middle-school practice of respectful communication and forming school-based networks; and high-school workshops and mentorships connecting students with alumni and local professionals.
Their action plan calls for working groups by age group to design activities tailored to development stages, with a target of finalizing a detailed plan next month. When trustees asked whether the program would be a single event or an ongoing program, the presenters said they envision monthly or bimonthly activities and would like to see elements eventually integrated into curriculum where feasible.
The board had previously amended the agenda to allow the students to present earlier; that motion passed 6—0. Trustees thanked the students and encouraged follow-up with the learning services team.
Provenance: student presentation under amended agenda item (see transcript excerpts).
