You might be surprised to know that I am talking about Burton Valley's Student Council. In Student Council, all of these skills are taught. Students must present what has happened at each meeting to their class, take fast, accurate notes, and learn to overcome shyness to get up and make a suggestion, or accept a new idea. All of these are priceless lessons, and students have a great time learning them. Student Council helps with annual school and community service projects such as Canned Foods Drive, Skate Night, T-shirt and sweatshirt sales, etc.
Kids also pool ideas to come up with new suggestions and thoughts.
Two representatives are elected from every fourth and fifth grade class to participate for one semester, and meetings are held once a month. At the end of the semester, new representatives from each class must be elected, so that everyone has a chance to participate in this great program. In fact, only four Student Council offices do not change each semester. These are our student officers, in the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The students for these positions are elected at the beginning of the year, when all candidates running must make a speech to the fourth and fifth grades explaining and emphasizing their qualities and what they can do for the school if they are elected.