Lower School Leadership Council: 5th Grade Leaders

[FULL STORY]

 

Are leaders born or made? In Newman’s 5th grade, they are elected by their peers. Just as seniors rule the Upper School, 5th grade students are the “seniors” of the Lower School, as well as leaders and role models for all the students in the grades below them. This year, the Lower School's second Leadership Council was formed, comprised of the leading minds of the 5th grade, to address issues and form policy for the student body.

 

The Leadership Council meets once every two weeks to discuss issues affecting 5th graders, and other students, plan special events for the grade, and problem-solve. The council recently discussed possible ways to help prevent bullying in school. The students on the council worked together to write and rehearse the skit, “Bully-Busters,” which was presented to the entire Lower School during the November 3 Greenie Gathering. In the skit, 5th grade heroes (the Bully-Busters) sought out and eliminated bullying everywhere they saw it, diffusing the situations using the Newman core values of honesty, kindness, respect, and responsibility. All 13 council members worked on the skit, which was a great hit with the lower school students.

 

All Leadership Council members are elected by their peers. The election is a big event in 5th grade and highlights many of the elements of the democratic process. Students deliver speeches and the voting takes place by secret ballot.

 

Leadership Council 2010-11

 

President: Joshua Payne

Vice-President: Lexi Alexander

Secretary: Finn Bendana

Homeroom Representatives

Apple: Calder Schmidt and Hannah Gelman

Eagle: David Freeman and Claire Rufin

Dog Pound: Booker Jones and Rebecca Kornman

Wildcat: Zachary Gertler and Sydney Steiner

Chili Peppers: Lawrence Freeman and Lady Reynolds