A Little Housekeeping: Report and Renew!

Your feedback and activity reports are invaluable to the national office. Make sure to complete the annual adviser survey by June 30. You should have received a link by email. Also, the primary adviser for your NHS or NJHS chapter or NASC council must renew your affiliation online by June 30 to ensure your school retains all of its benefits.

Show Off Your 2015–16 Projects

We know your council or chapter does amazing work in your school and community. Please share your successful projects and activities to lend inspiration to other schools across the country. Now is a great time to submit your projects from the last academic year to the National Student Project Database! Visit www.nhs.us/projects, www.njhs.us/projects, or www.nasc.us/projects today to upload project descriptions and photos. While you’re there, browse the database for project ideas you can implement next school year.

Tips for Handing the Reins to a New Adviser

  • Plan a retreat or set a date for members to meet the new adviser
  • Update the officer and member contact directory
  • Review past goals, and set new ones
  • Review and update budgets, funding, and memberships
  • Create a “what’s next” list of actions and matters to be addressed early next year

You can also help your new leader get off to a smooth start by encouraging a visit to www.nasc.us/new-advisers, www.nhs.us/new-advisers, or www.njhs.us/new-advisers for advice.

Honoring Exceptional Student Service & Leadership

This spring, the national office announced the winners of the 2016 Outstanding Service Project Awards for NHS and NJHS, and the 2016 National Council of Excellence Awards recipients for NASC. Congratulations to the chapters and councils that earned these impressive designations! For a list of winners and details about each program, visit www.nhs.us/osp, www.njhs.us/osp, and www.nasc.us/ncoe.

Students Learn About Local Government & Law Enforcement

They know about student government, but how much do your students know about the systems in your community? This past April, 52 leadership students in Oregon went on a journey to learn about local government and law enforcement. They began at the Umatilla County Courthouse, where they spoke with Circuit Judge Ron Pahl and District Attorney Dan Primus. Students also visited the local jail and were encouraged to ask questions about the systems in place. “It was awesome to see how everything works and the organization it uses,” said one student.

Student Leaders Gather in Washington, D.C., for Education Technology Briefing

This past April, members of NASSP’s Student Leadership Advisory Committee gathered in Washington, D.C., for a briefing on Capitol Hill. The event provided a unique opportunity for legislators to hear firsthand from students, teachers, and principals about the impact of education technology in their schools.

The 13-member committee is a mix of NHS, NJHS, and NASC students, advisers, and principals. Four members of the council sat on a panel and answered questions during the Capitol Hill briefing, including NJHS member Ryan Battle, who explained that technology in schools provides an opportunity for all students to feel equal. “No matter what you look like or where you live, you have access to the same tools,” he said. “Technology doesn’t judge!”

When asked what she hopes to gain from technology at her school in the future, student panelist and president-elect of the Iowa Association of Student Councils Kimberly Knuth said that she would like to see students have an opportunity to learn to use education technology more efficiently.

The briefing also provided committee members and panelists Kathryn Procope and Felix Yerace with the opportunity to share the principal and teacher perspectives on topics ranging from cyberbullying and teaching students to be socially responsible, to professional development for teachers and principals.

Prior to the briefing, all committee members participated in a three-day leadership and advocacy training session with various NASSP staff. To see social media posts and photos from the Capitol Hill briefing, search #NASSPStudentVoice on Twitter.

Dates to Remember

June

June 24–26: NASC National Conference in Portland, OR

June 30: National affiliation renewals and adviser survey responses due