Student Senate “Gives students a better voice”
By Mia Burns
April 12, 2024
Making decisions for our district can be very difficult between teacher, student and parents. Student Senate is a recent district wide group of students who are putting their input and learning about the decision making of our district.
“Authentic student voice in decision making has been lacking in WPUSD. I wanted to create an avenue for students to be part of the decisions we make to ensure their success,” said Superintendent Kelly Callahan.
It is important as a district we cater to students and their wants and needs. Making school a safe and accepting place for students is what will encourage them to want to be at school.
“We are stronger together than apart. Collaboration among our schools is critical to our overall success. There are great things happening across our district and I wanted there to be an opportunity for them to be shared,” said Callahan.
Interacting with all levels gives everyone an opportunity to talk and work things out. It gives you a wide variety of perspectives and overall makes our district and schools better.
“Every elementary school, middle school and high school will break out and we will work on our stuff so we will work on Lincoln and then go back and work on district stuff,” said Hladun. So the younger kids work on their own things and then come back and discuss it with us all.
Many adults are aware schools are full of diversity therefore collaborating with all students has a huge impact. It has an impact on the way teachers are in the classroom as well as the rules and standards in school.
“Our adults are beginning to see the value of student voice and are committing to ensuring student voice is part of the work we do,” said Callahan.
The students in our district have noticed concerns throughout and have struggled making an impact. This allows our district to take students' voices into account.
“The main job of us students is to help bring a voice to represent their school and voice any concerns that need to be addressed,” said Senior Katelyn Lauderdale.
Teachers recognition is very impactful but many adults have a difficult time reporting students' needs from the district. Along with the fact that most district and educational decision makers do not have teaching experience.
“Senate gives students a meaningful opportunity to really engage in their own education and give the district feedback,” said Principal Jennifer Hladun
As high school students are more aware of the issues, educating Lincoln's future is important as well. Allowing all grade levels 4th grade and above have made a huge impact on the students and district.
“Part of it is our older students mentoring our younger students, it's super fun to watch our seniors play basketball at lunch with these little kids, and it is great for our students to work on that,” said Hladun.
Young students look up to upperclassmen and to work with them is something they will cherish and grow from. And working with all levels is a learning experience.
“I think it's a great opportunity for all of us schools to come together, especially elementary school students because they are Lincoln's future,” said Lauderdale.
The staff in our district has put a lot of effort into making this congress impactful for all students and teachers. It is in the plans to continue the hard work and make the changes needed.
“I am hoping that schools will establish their congresses next year, with additional students that will work with the district senators to support the work we are doing to improve our schools for you,” said Callahan.
Junior Hudson Hants appreciates being a part of the student senate program, and uses every opportunity to speak for the students he represents.
“I like it,” Hants said. “It allows us to speak to higher authority figures in our district. It gives students a better voice.”