Meeting in small groups, participants identified specific ways to improve the school and those ideas were sorted through by the larger group. The ideas were diverse, but common themes ran through them.
There was a strong interest in improving the climate at the school from the cafeteria to the environment of safety it provided. The need to involve the community in the school was identified by many participants as a way to strengthen the school. The need to improve community understanding of what is going on at the school through better communication was identified as well.
Some great ideas were proposed such as student-to-student mentoring programs, a school marquee, extending library hours (and offerings to the public) and more.
The study circles project succeeded in many ways and for several reasons. It was a success because of the broad base of participants. Having plenty of students who were willing to speak up made the project particularly relevant. It's one thing for 'the adults' to sit around and talk about how to make the school better, but hearing from the 'customers' is invaluable.
It succeeded in giving a diverse array of community members and stakeholders in the school a voice in the future of the school and that's the first step towards at least those people becoming more invested in their local high school.
When some of the ideas are implemented and plans are made to bring others to fruition it will solidify the feeling of participants that their efforts mattered and that, too, will increase their sense of investment in the school.
The challenge now will be to bring that level of investment/participation to the greater community. Congratulations to Harwood for an excellent first step.
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