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by Strugglingteens, LLC |
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Posted:
Jun 6, 2006
11:37
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT
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At New Haven School
Provo, Utah
By: Larissa Taylor, Teacher
801-768-2495
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "The best government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves." At New Haven School, the US Government class has been learning this lesson. This class is designed to introduce students to the basic founding principles of our governing system, the structure of our government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Additionally, students learn what a democracy is and what it needs to stay strong and stable. A democratic form of government relies heavily on the participation of its citizens. In order to assist my students in understanding this concept and to give them practice in other useful skills, my class created a student body government. I had three goals in mind when giving the students this responsibility:
- Allow students an opportunity to practice and experience the topics discussed in class.
- Allow students an opportunity to gain important life skills such as compromise and delegation.
- Allow the students to work together to create a better school environment.
Initially, I wanted my students to have some real world experience with the principles and practicalities of government. Students were first given the assignment to develop a New Haven School Constitution. This required them to think about the principles the government would stand for, the structure of the government and the goals of government. The process itself was difficult, but enriching for the students. They were able to tie their own experiences to those of the Founders and used the US Constitution as a blueprint for their own constitution. Once the constitution was completed, students then had to hold elections for government offices. This gave them the opportunity to practice running campaigns and voting, both topics they were learning in class. Finally, the student government itself was assembled and began meeting to plan activities and to address problems and concerns of the students and administration. Through government meetings, the students have practiced some of the skills such as passing legislation, and experienced some of the problems dealt with by bodies such as state legislatures or the US Congress. The student government has been an excellent way for students to practice what they are learning in the classroom and to see it applied to real world situations. This, in turn, has increased their ability to understand classroom concepts.
As students experienced the process of forming a student government and then began to participate in it, they began to develop important life skills. Governments require members who are willing to discuss and compromise, who delegate and take responsibility, who weigh options to develop good solutions to problems. Our students have had the opportunity to practice all these skills. At every meeting, the student government discusses suggestions the student body has made. These suggestions range from very small issues to major concerns. As a government, the students must discuss the various suggestions and work together to develop solutions whenever possible. Additionally, the government plans and puts on activities for the student body. The government officials must divide the work and be responsible about pulling it all together. These invaluable skills are necessary for individuals to acquire in order to work and succeed in life. Students also have the opportunity to meet with and present to administrators and other important people in the school community. This experience gives them an opportunity to practice speaking, listening and compromise skills as they bring up ideas and concerns and work with the administration. Student government is an excellent way to help students practice important life skills.
The final goal of the student government was to give students the opportunity to influence their school community in a positive way. Attending school at a treatment center is a different experience. In many ways, these students have few choices about what goes on in their daily life and few ways to make changes. The student government gives students a way to speak up and institute change, but in a very organized and positive way. It also gives the rest of the student body a voice with the administration. The student government plans activities to bring the student body together and help them feel more positive about the school and the program. Student government gives these students a way to participate in the community and to make changes in very appropriate ways.
One activity the student body organized was a spirit week. Students dressed up and were encouraged to speak positively, to help others and to just be better. At the end of the week, the student government sponsored an ice cream social. It was a great experience. The student body also worked with staff and teachers to propose changes to some of the program rules. Government officials took suggestions from the girls and talked to different administrators. Then a formal proposal was written and submitted for consideration.
Assisting the student government in its creation and running has been such a pleasure for me. I see the impact being a member of the student government has on the students. They feel more positive about themselves and their position at New Haven. They work hard and have achieved some great things on behalf of other students. They have learned practical skills, which will carry them far as they enter the real world. They have increased their knowledge and understanding of our government system and are better prepared to be good citizens. Of course, it is a lot of work and not everything runs smoothly, but the experience has been rewarding for me, the student government and the student body. I am excited for the future growth, progress and change possible with this program.
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