Successful Student Government Forum!
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A week ago today, a lively crowd of students, teachers, and reporters gathered for the first-ever citywide Forum on Student Government, held at the UFT building in lower Manhattan and hosted by the New York City Students Union. The purpose was to discuss ways to create, improve and connect student governments in schools across the five boroughs. Turns out, our vision — to use student governments to create a powerful collective student voice — is bigger than one forum. Since Thursday, I feel hopeful that we might, some day, accomplish that goal.
Students shared their obstacles, strategies, and successes. Many were frustrated by student apathy, lack of cooperation from staff members, inadequate funding, and lack of effective communication with their student body. Students had reccomendations such as forming committees, presenting staff with the Student Bill of Rights, making bright posters and playing music through the loudspeaker to get people to pay attention. We also talked about ways to use social networking sites like Facebook and other internet resources to connect more people to school governance. My favorite moment was when a girl from Millenium turned to a boy from Bedford Academy, who was expressing his concerns about lack of efficiency, and said, “Have you tried forming committees? It worked really well for us.” It was as though she knew that during all our planning we dreamed of interactions just like that.
Student apathy can be frustrating. I truly believe it can only be combatted by student unity. Any students who couldn’t make the forum but would like to stay involved, please drop by a student union meeting (details and more information posted here). We are planning another forum in the Spring, and hope for an even bigger and better turnout; watch this blog for details whenever they’re set.
In the meantime, I hope to see all my fellow students this afternoon at the UFT’s save-the-schools rally — City Hall, 4 pm.
Editor’s Note: Can’t make the rally? Public School Parents Advocacy Committee is organizing an Armchair Protest today, to coincide with the rally. To participate, call 311 (or 212 NEW YORK, if you’re outside the city) and ask to file a complaint with the Mayor’s office about the proposed budget cuts to school funding. One caveat: planners say, be prepared to spend time on hold…
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