Sarah Milner students and staff describe "Leader in Me" leadership jobs and rising belonging

Sarah Milner principal and staff presented the elementary school's "Leader in Me" program to the Thompson School District Board, describing a set of student leadership jobs and supports intended to increase student belonging and life skills.

Principal Sarah Milner told the board, "We are all capable of more than we give ourselves credit for," and framed the school's strategy as a system of student roles that promote responsibility, ownership and connection. She said the school uses routine surveys and targeted instruction—conflict resolution and restorative practices—to address a fall baseline sense-of-belonging score near 55% and reported stronger spring survey results after the program's rollout.

Staff explained that leadership jobs are not mere chores but are selected through applications and include roles such as greeters, cafe crew, office assistants and equipment engineers. They said jobs typically run about two months; schools collect references as part of the application to build family and community connections and to encourage wider participation across grades.

Board members asked whether the program's gains last after students leave the elementary campus and how the school tracks students who did not initially get jobs. School staff said they administer measures multiple times per year and conduct follow-up checks; they also said plans are under development to expand roles and monitor participation more systematically across grade levels.

The presentation concluded with board praise for the program's focus on belonging and a request that staff continue to report on the program's measurable outcomes as it scales districtwide.