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Spencer County Middle School students showcase new 'house' system and community-service projects
Summary
Students and staff from Spencer County Middle School described a first-year 'house' system designed to build cross-grade mentorship and community ties; student leaders outlined projects including a toy drive with local police, nursing-home visits and comfort kits for children entering foster care.
Students and staff at Spencer County Middle School presented the school’s new house system to the board on Sept. 30, describing how houses aim to create cross-grade connections, build school spirit and run community-service projects.
School leaders said planning for houses began less than a year ago and grew out of existing PBIS initiatives. Staff emphasized that the structure is intended to improve student behavior, mentoring and school climate by grouping sixth through eighth graders into persistent houses with leaders and planned service projects.
Student house leaders introduced their houses and described early projects. "We are the house of dreamers," student Ava Parker said in introducing her house. Another student described a planned toy drive partnership with the Pensacola Police Department, and other students described projects such as nursing-home visits and creating comfort-and-care packages for children entering foster care.
Staff said the house system is intended to boost school spirit and provide leadership and mentorship opportunities for older students. One staff presenter described trips and training (including a visit to Ron Clark Academy) and said the house leaders will help mentor younger students and coordinate community engagement.
Board members and the superintendent praised the students and staff for the initiative and for early signs of student buy-in; the presentation concluded with applause and the board thanked the middle school delegation for the spotlight.
What’s next: Administration will continue to support house activities as part of middle-school programming and invited board members to visit the school’s PAX labs and observe the house activities in action.
