At the Jan. 6 West Seneca Central School District board meeting, third-grade teacher Mikayla Sutton introduced members of West Elementary’s Wildcat Council and described a slate of student-led service projects.

"At the beginning of the school year, students were able to apply, and then each homeroom elected their own representatives to serve on the council," Sutton said, explaining the group of 35 students includes officers such as president, vice presidents and a secretary. "We take the district's mission seriously, nurturing our full potential means building an educational community that fosters kindness," she added.

Hudson Teager, a fifth grader and the council president, told the board the group has produced school safety videos, including a cafeteria safety video already shared with the school and bus and playground safety videos still in development. "I help make sure meetings stay organized and that everyone has a chance to share their ideas," Hudson said.

Juliana Pingle, the council secretary, described the group’s canned-goods drive in which students organized collection, announcements and distribution support for the West Seneca Lions Club. "Together, we collected about 1,000 soup can and cans goods, which was very exciting and rewarding," Juliana said.

Vice presidents Delaney Jerome and Aiden Gabamonte summarized other projects: Delaney helped write a news article about the drive and its outcomes; Aiden said three $1 spirit days raised $280 to donate to the Red Cross for hurricane relief in Jamaica.

The students said the Wildcat Council meets every Wednesday. The presentation also noted a student data tracker, Nicole Davis, who collects project metrics and photographs. Board members asked follow-up questions about meeting frequency and encouraged students to consider future ex officio board participation.

The presentation highlighted student leadership and community service as learning priorities and concluded with thanks from Sutton to staff, students and the board for their support.