SAC students deliver presentations to BVSD leadership

Preparing leaders is paramount in the Boulder Valley School District. One program that helps students develop leadership skills is the BVSD Student Advisory Committee which generates deep discussion and problem solving among the students’ biggest issues. 
This group of student leaders met frequently during the 2017-18 school year, and their passion for their topics was remarkable. Some of their ideas, presented to the Board of Education along with school leadership, are now being considered for implementation. 

Board members were extraordinarily impressed,” said  Marc Schaffer,  Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership. Schaffer facilitates the group meetings and conversations. “They had very high praise and a high level of appreciation.”

"Don’t let it go,” said  Kyle Mathews, High School Principal at Peak to Peak Charter School, after watching student presentations in April. “Go back to your schools and help establish these things in your schools. Positive peer pressure will go a long way. Take those risks and you will have a following.”

Mr. Matthews was addressing a group of high school students who had just presented on college preparation, teacher-student relationships, diversity and mental health. The middle-level presentations focused on different types of learners, bullying, self-directed learning, rules with backpacks and effective consequences.

“It was a really talented group this year,” Schaffer said. “Students certainly were very interested and engaged in sharing their candid opinions about opportunities in our district. They approached it from a problem-solving standpoint and offer solutions. Our kids really authentically felt like they were heard.”

One group spoke about diversity, pointing out the difference between acceptance and tolerance -- they recommended that the District do more to promote acceptance for different types of students. 

“I tolerate vegetables,” their presentation read. “We need to nurture normalization and appreciation for diversity in our schools. Including curriculum that bring up discussions about controversial topics and diversity turning negative reactions into positive moments.”

The group who brought up mental health pointed out the severe increase in children with depression, with only 34 percent of those students receiving sufficient treatment nationwide.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” the presentation stated. “If someone is having trouble with their kidneys you wouldn’t want them to just show up at school and act like everything is normal. In schools, mental health should be everyone’s job.”