A group of Grade 7 – 10 students from Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Haliburton, and Huntsville schools were invited to participate in the first ever Director’s Student Voice Summit at the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) Muskoka Education Centre on May 4.
This summit was another opportunity for students to have their voices heard by the director of education, Wes Hahn, and senior team members with respect to how TLDSB can make learning in our schools more effective for current and future students.
“To me, student voice is having the chance to communicate with your teachers and have a two-way respectful relationship with them,” said Bracebridge Public School student, Lucy. “It is an opportunity for both students and teachers to work together to come up with solutions that fit your needs.”
The G7 Student Senate – one student elected by peers from each of the seven TLDSB secondary schools – took the lead on facilitating four activities; one of them was to design their ideal school day! The G7 Student Senate also helped throughout the day to ensure students felt welcome, comfortable, and able to express themselves. Another activity included a “Rainbow of Thoughts” that focused on student’s current experiences with the following thought-provoking questions:
- The best part about learning in TLDSB is…
- It’s helpful when my teachers…
- My school feels like a community when…
- Learning in my school could be improved if…
- Current stressors at school…
All participants provided open feedback for our system to take into consideration and made new connections with students from other schools along the way.
This was part one of two Director’s Student Voice Summits. Students from the City of Kawartha Lakes will be participating in the summit on Wednesday, May 31.
