South Cook News

The Riverside District 96 Board of Education heard a presentation from Central Elementary students during its Jan. 18 meeting.

Central Elementary's student council members spoke about the Growth Mindset program that they are creating in 2023. The board was told that while they are continuing with their annual food drive and fundraiser for families in need, they are also expanding their roles as fifth-grade role models for younger students. Their ideas were approved, and they expect to begin the program in February.

Students told the board they plan to teach social and emotional learning skills to the younger grades. Each month, they plan to enter K-4 classrooms and discuss with the students a monthly character trait and working with them to create a student-friendly definition and understanding of it. The student council members will also create a chart related to the trait to be displayed in each classroom.

The board members expressed excitement about the program and asked the student council members questions about what they're expecting to happen and about any potential difficulties. While the fifth graders were excited to be able to share what they've learned with their younger peers, they admitted that some of the rowdier students may be difficult to handle, especially if some of their younger siblings are in attendance. The board wished them luck and thanked them for their time.

"I think for me the most exciting part about this was the student initiative," said Central Elementary School principal Pete Gatz. "This was something that they came and talked with their teachers about, and the teachers together collectively, as student council leaders came up with the idea and approached the leadership team at the building and say, 'this is something we would like to try.' Kids talking to kids, kids presenting to kids, because as we try to build in social-emotional learning and make connections for students as we get back to the normal part of school, those are deficit areas we're seeing because those are the ones that are taking the longest to fill in, and perhaps a connection with an older student for a younger student as a way to make another bridge to get to where I want everybody to be. So I'm excited for it. I can't wait to see what things look like."