West Oak Middle School student ambassadors present clubs, proficiency scales and standards‑based grading to the board

Students from West Oak Middle School presented a learning spotlight to the Diamond Lake 76 Board of Education, showcasing student‑led activities, clubs, and instructional initiatives the school said support engagement and learning.

Four student ambassadors introduced themselves and said they serve as leaders who run assemblies, help with scholarship allocation, and participate in a report‑card task force. Students described PBIS rewards, proficiency scales intended to make learning goals clearer for families, and standards‑based grading slated for fuller implementation in the fall. The presentation included examples of student activities — intramurals, cosmetology club, sewing club, theater and broadcast clubs, and academic challenge and reading raffles — and noted experiential programs such as a mini medical school at Rosalind Franklin University and a Camp Duncan field trip for sixth graders.

Student and staff presenters gave participation numbers for some programs: the band program was described as having about 151 students and choir roughly 81 including 5th graders; coaches and teachers highlighted a wide range of extracurricular offerings and how clubs support student leadership and community service.

The school emphasized community outreach (food drives, turkey drives, and other service) and said it had been redesignated for Illinois Horizon and National Forum Schools to Watch. The spotlight concluded with students reflecting on community and school culture and the principal thanking ambassadors for presenting.

What’s next: The presentation was informational; no board action was recorded in the transcript on the learning spotlight.