The speeches have been made, the campaigning has concluded and the ballots have been counted. Southdown Primary School’s fall election campaign was smooth and students there received a lesson in democracy and civic responsibility.
Nina Fascilla has been elected president along with the Zachary Schnitzer as vice president and Lauren Donaghy as secretary. The executive board members are ready to roll up their sleeves and work on behalf of all students in the building.
“Candidates were required to give a one to three minute speech in front of all fourth grade students and their teachers,” Southdown Principal Scott Oshrin said. “Class representatives will be chosen in the coming weeks. The student council is hard at work preparing for a great school year.”
Southdown student council officers Lauren Donaghy,
Nina Fascilla and Zachary Schnitzer.
The organization has several items on a list to discuss, including school spirit days, anti-bullying programs and working to make children more physically active throughout the school day.
“I have met with our new student leaders and they are excited to continue down the path previous leaders set before them to make Southdown an amazing experience for all children,” Mr. Oshrin said.
Teachers Patrice Monks, Adam Sherrard and Lynn Hefele are working with the student council members.
According to the Learning Community, an online parent resource website, student council gives kids numerous benefits, including:
• The opportunity to participate in decisions that affect them; Students that feel they have a say in school rules, policies and operations are more likely to cooperate and encourage other students to do so as well.
• The ability to understand more about the democratic process; Democracy is one of our country's founding principles. What better way for students to understand the process than to directly participate in it?
• The chance to learn important leadership skills; Colleges and jobs are increasingly looking for candidates with strong leadership skills. Get your child involved early so that these skills are well developed before they reach high school.