junior board forum

by Gabriella Hartlaub

It’s no secret that a lot of students have been struggling with the transition to virtual learning, and sometimes feel like they have no avenue to share their comments and concerns with their teachers. The Junior Board attempted to remedy this with a forum for junior students and staff held two weeks ago on November 4th. This event was planned to allow a conversation to happen between students and staff, and for students to propose solutions for issues that they are facing. 

The idea came from the junior board members, who wanted there to be an open line of communication between students and staff. “We know that a lot of staff members are looking for student interaction on their lessons,” Vice President Jordyn Czyzewski said, “So we wanted to give the students a chance to give that feedback in an environment where they were less nervous.” 

Before the event, students signed up to speak on a google from where they listed their area of concern and their name so that they could easily be called upon during the meeting. Overall, about ten students were able to speak to a panel of teachers that included Mr. Tillman, Ms. Briethbarth, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Jamieson and representing the administration, Ms. Sato. Going into the event, Junior Board President Daisy Kiekopher expected it, “to be hard to talk to everyone at first. Mental health is a topic that has had serious taboo for years. Only recently has it been acknowledged as a true problem in our community.”  Student stress was a topic that was talked about multiple times, with both staff and students giving out solutions and support to try and remedy the epidemic of stress that students are feeling during virtual learning. 

Student’s spoke about their own struggles with virtual learning, things that did and did not work for them, and offered solutions to the panel. Teachers also shared things they have been struggling with during this virtual semester, offering the floor to students to give suggestions for them as well. 

When asked if she considered this event a success, Ms. Czyzewski said, “I think it was a success. We wanted students to be able to communicate with staff in an effective way which they did.” Ms. Kiekopher agreed adding, “I’m hoping this is the first step of many to help students and teachers adapt to digital learning.” 

The junior board hopes to hold more events like this in the future, and possibly go into the holding board meetings that are open to the junior class to make their voices heard. “Virtual learning is not going to work unless everyone is in constant communication with each other," President of the Board, Daisy Kiekopher, said, “I believe we’re making progress in adapting effectively to digital learning. We have a long way to go, but if we want to support our students and value their mental health, we can’t stop looking for a solution.”