Student Government Maps Ambitious Plans for the Year

On Sept. 10, Student Government led the first assembly of the 2014-2015 school year.   After welcoming everyone back with this year’s “ins and outs,” student government officers discussed the new schedule and presented their goals for the year and concluded the assembly with a welcome back video.

 

While students may have found the schedule change daunting at first, they’ve responded positively to the new schedule.  Student Government President Talley Snow noted that by reducing the number of classes per day, the schedule is relieving some of the day-to-day stress.  Registrar and Scheduler Ms. Heatwole received kudos for her heroic efforts in successfully scheduling all of the students under the new system.

 

Snow and Vice President Hannah Loughlin then shared overall Student Government goals and gave status updates on proposals from the previous year, including one to assist students in balancing after-school jobs with NCS’s sports requirement.   Student Government also wants to expand a 2013-14 initiative to preview classes in the spring, when students are making decisions about next year’s schedules. 

 

This year’s Student Government theme is to make school an enjoyable place of learning that is fun and stress-free. One of their biggest initiatives is to introduce an Upper School “big sister” program, modeled after the Lower School big sister program. The program would pair juniors with freshmen, to help freshmen navigate the transition to Upper School.  

 

They are also exploring ways to create more opportunities for interaction between the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.  They plan to encourage Lower School attendance at varsity and junior varsity sports games and at performances.  This Spirit Day the Upper School will lead Middle School activities.   In addition, they are looking for opportunities to collaborate with St. Albans, particularly in conversations on diversity.

 

Student Government is also working to extend purple-gold point tallies to activities other than sports, such as art and performances that contribute to and embody the NCS spirit. By highlighting other talents, students will be more aware of the diverse talents in our community both on the field, in the studio, and on the stage.

 

The Athletics Board plans to increase varsity and junior varsity game attendance through organized senior caravans (student carpools), banner-making parties with the Middle and Lower Schools, theme dress days for fans, and at least one fan storm-in (30 people arriving to a game without warning). To increase the chances of accomplishing these goals, they will reach out to students in other activities and areas. They will also include Voyageur and independent project accomplishments in weekly athletic announcements.

 

The Equity Board is already planning a fun, interesting, and exciting Diversity Forum. They are working to strengthen NCS’s connection with St. Albans through coed discussions and events related to diversity.  To ensure that the entire student body is informed on social justice issues and diversity, they will maintain a bulletin board with a different theme each month. Their goal is to make NCS as inclusive as possible, and to make sure that all students have a voice regardless of how they identify.

 

The Green Board is looking forward to engaging the NCS community in environmental service and the outdoors via hikes and other trips, and through green awareness events like Earth Week.

 

Student Government’s ambitious agenda promises to make 2014-2015 an action-packed year. For additional “welcome back” spirit and humorous commentary on the block schedule, click here for the Student Government welcome video.