Good isn't a thing you are. It's a thing you do.
- G. Willow Wilson
My Goals as SMOB
Improve School Atmosphere
Diversity & Inclusion
Our country is very diverse, but we still need to ensure the school environment not only includes all students, but also celebrates students' differences. I understand that each school will need to take their own approach to addressing diversity as each school is at a different point. However, regardless of the school the Board should ensure that every school is constantly moving forward in this topic. |
Stress & Mental Health
Stress is prevalent at all of our schools countywide, whether from homework or athletics or extracurriculars. Even more students in the county are being diagnosed with depression and anxiety now. Because we are a high achieving county, students are very likely to become overwhelmed by everything happening around them. As the SMOB, I hope to address unnecessary stress and ways to lower it, as well as looking into coping methods students are learning. |
Clarify Policy for every student
Summary of Updates
When the Board updates policies, changes tend to grow more complex. I recommend that for the more complex changes, the Board provides a simple summary of how revisions affect the students, so the general population can understand what changed. As the student member, I will work to explain why the changes were made, through social media statements and answering questions by email or direct message. |
Highlight Required Parts
Many policies today are based on national or state laws that require specific things to be included in them. I recommend that policies show which parts of them are as a result of federal or state law, and which parts are neither. This clarification will prevent negative responses to policies as a result of circumstances beyond the Board's control. From researching the Wellness Policy, I know this would have been helpful in lowering the negative reaction to it. |
Update websites & Social Media
HCPSS has taken great strides by creating and maintaining social media such as a Twitter and Instagram page, but most students in the county still do not follow them. There is likely still a disconnect even though the county is using social media because HCPSS posts differently from most student accounts (for example, posting too often and "spamming" Twitter). I will work to improve social media use and therefore improve communication.
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Another goal of mine is to reach out to all students through canvas. I will work to create a SMOB page on canvas where the student member can post announcements to students, or provide monthly updates. This way I will have a direct contact to every student through online, instead of just occasionally in person.
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reach out to students
School Visits
To connect directly with the students I represent, my goal is to visit every middle and high school, and hopefully many elementary schools, throughout my term as SMOB. I will then have the opportunity to hear exactly what is happening in schools and what you as students believe is an important issue that should be addressed. |
SMOB Advisory Council
Similar to the SMOB Advisory Council in Montgomery County, my goal is to put together a panel to work with me throughout the year. Comprised of students of many grade levels from around the county, this council will serve as a direct link to schools around the county throughout the year. I will be contacting the Montgomery SMOB for advice on starting and maintaining the council. |