Share Your Expertise at the NASC Conference

The National Student Project Database contains nearly 5,000 project entries, making it the largest collection of its kind, with exclusive access for NASC members. This month’s spotlight projects are related to student council elections as well as National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2–6).

ASB Officer Caucus
Chula Vista High School
Chula Vista, CA
Chula Vista stepped their elections up a notch in 2014: They decorated the stage and set it up like a real caucus. The council members moved the elections to their gym, which holds more than 1,500 people, to accommodate more classes to take part and encourage the entire student body to have a voice in determining their student leaders. READ MORE
Teacher Appreciation Week 2015
Hamilton Middle School
Parkersburg, WV
Each year Hamilton Middle School’s student council coordinates an appreciation activity for each of the five days of National Teacher Appreciation Week. Some of the gestures have included large, colorful door banners; breakfast carts; thank you cards; special lapel pendants; and desserts in the teachers lounge. READ MORE

DATES & DEADLINES

APRIL

Annual adviser survey sent via email

11–15: National Assistant Principals Week

17–23: National Student Leadership Week

22: Deadline for workshop presenter applications for the NASC National Conference

MAY

2: Early bird NASC National Conference registration deadline

2–6: National Teacher Appreciation Week

20: Regular NASC National Conference registration deadline

JUNE

24–26: NASC National Conference in Portland, OR

IN THIS MONTH’S ADVISE

Budgeting and fundraising may be some of the less exciting tasks for your council, but they are also some of the most important. In the April/May issue of Advise, a seasoned student activities manager walks you through budget creation and great ideas for revenue generation. We encourage advisers to contribute an article to Advise—email [email protected] for more information or with your article ideas.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


Register Now to Explore Your Leadership Potential!
Registration is open for NASC student leaders and advisers to join their peers at the 2016 NASC National Conference at Century High School in Portland, OR. For three days in June (24–26), student leaders and advisers will come together to learn, share, and celebrate excellence in leadership. The conference features exciting speakers and informative training sessions led by student delegates, advisers, and leadership experts. Register by May 2 to receive the discounted early bird rate. LEARN MORE

Share Your Expertise at the NASC Conference
We also need you and your students to share your knowledge at the 2016 NASC National Conference! The workshops led by NASC council advisers and students can provide some of the most helpful and powerful lessons for attendees. Don’t just attend the NASC Conference this year—be part of it! Apply to be a presenter today. LEARN MORE

Get Ready for National Student Leadership Week
National Student Leadership Week (NSLW) is next week: April 17–23! What is your council doing “Right Here, Right Now” to show leadership and make a difference? Here’s a quick recap of ways you and your council can participate:

  • Visit www.nasc.us/nslw for activities and resources.
  • Ask your students to participate in the NSLW Instagram challenge. Watch the 30-second video on the NASC NSLW web page for details.
  • Encourage your members to demonstrate their support of NSLW by adding a filter to their social media profile picture as part of NSLW’s Twibbon campaign.
  • Inspire others to spring into action by sharing both your members’ small gestures and bigger community projects on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #NSLW16.

2016 National Council of Excellence Award Winners Announced
Over 260 middle level and high school student councils have been named NASC National Councils of Excellence. Their leadership, service, and council programs reflect the highest levels of distinction. The group of councils honored this year reflects a continuously increasing number of NASC councils striving for excellence. The list of 2016 winners is now available online—if your council is a winner, we encourage you to share this honor with your community and via social media. LEARN MORE

Become a Council of Excellence
The quest to become a 2017 National Council of Excellence starts today! Your council activities and projects that occur between January 1 and December 31, 2016 make up the content for the your 2017 award portfolio and application. 2017 applications will be available online in July. Set a new standard of excellence for your council as you plan and execute this year’s activities and projects. Go for the Gold in 2017! LEARN MORE

Student Leaders Discuss Education Technology in Washington, D.C.
Earlier this month, members of the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ (NASSP) 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 NASC, National Honor Society, and National Junior Honor Society students, advisers, and principals. Four members of the council sat on a panel and answered questions during the Capitol Hill briefing, sharing their perspective on topics ranging from cyberbullying to providing equal access to technology.

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.

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STUDENT COUNCIL TIPS AND TOOLS


Help Your Students Navigate Recognition Program Invitations
In the spring months, a number of students receive letters congratulating them on their selection or nomination for membership into an elite scholars organization. Some carry the promise of college scholarships or a college application benefit—but require a fee. NASSP provides excellent guidelines that advisers can share with students and parents to help them make informed choices about their participation in personal recognition programs. LEARN MORE