Student leaders from Berkeley County School District’s middle schools have a few plans in place to make their schools “better than ever.”
The annual BCSD Middle School Leadership Conference, aptly named “Better Than Ever” this year, is a time for these young leaders to collaborate and brainstorm ideas geared toward improving the culture at their own individual schools. The event was held Thursday at Westview Middle.
Student members of Renaissance programs from Hanahan Middle, Berkeley Middle, Marrington Middle School of the Arts, Cane Bay Middle, Philip Simmons Middle, Daniel Island School, Carolyn Lewis School, College Park Middle and Westview Middle all participated in the event.
Renaissance members are students who demonstrate leadership at their school, and they are charged with boosting morale and camaraderie among their fellow classmates, and just finding ways to celebrate achievement and give back to their schools and community.
Along with some get-to-know-you games and ice breaker activities, students paired up to answer questions like “What is your favorite thing about your school?” and “What could your school’s Renaissance program improve on?” Stratford High’s Renaissance students also led the middle schoolers in a Renaissance rally.
Students came dressed in special-themed school shirts that had different messages:
“We leveled up!”
“One Team, One Family.”
“There is no failure; you either win or you learn.”
Taking on leadership roles at the middle school level help set these students up for success in high school and beyond. This annual retreat provides an opportunity for the students to bounce ideas off one another and break through barriers – and make connections with other BCSD students they may not otherwise get to meet.