Time to Renew

NASC E-Bulletin
Spotlight on Projects of Excellence

The National Student Project Database features more than 6,000 project entries. It is the largest and most comprehensive resource of its kind. NASC members can find new project ideas, explore new themes for annual events, and submit projects their own councils have successfully completed.

Patriot Thrones/SUP Award
Providence Hall High School (PHHS)
Herriman, UT
This student council wanted to increase demonstrated Spirit, Unity, and Pride (known fondly as SUP). The school had been open for just one year amd the council believed the school was not very well known, is in competition with a large and popular public school, and hadn’t yet established a culture. To achieve its goal, they created the SUP Award that is given to a male student, female student, and faculty member at each assembly. Award winners get to sit on the Patriot Thrones during assemblies and get to sign their name to something that will continue as a long-standing tradition. These awards are given to people who actively participate during spirit activities and who serve as a positive role model for their peers. Student council members decide on recipients. They focus on reaching out to students who may not normally be recognized. They say the award has built up the confidence of students and faculty. READ MORE
Helping Teachers
Kesling Middle School
La Porte, IN
Through their student council-run school concession stand, the Kesling Student Council is able to budget money for different things. Every year, the council asks teachers if they have any needs or wants for their classrooms. Teachers get a questionnaire or notice in their mailboxes. Throughout the year, teachers may also request something they need before the end of the school year. This past year, the council purchased a new wall-mounted TV with combo DVD player for the Home Ec room, a set of Scholastic books on the Holocaust for a sixth-grade social studies teacher, and new jazz band risers for the music department. These school improvement gifts cost nearly $1,500 dollars. READ MORE

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


How Will You Celebrate National Student Leadership Week?
In recognition of National Student Leadership Week, being celebrated April 16-22, we extend our utmost thanks and admiration to the many NASC student leaders who are “Making a World of Difference” in their schools, communities, and beyond through their service in student council. Make sure your council takes our “Tasty-style” video challenge illustrating their recipe for making global change. Post it to social media using #NSLW17 and #MakingGlobalChange. Get more resources and suggestions to help you celebrate the week and promote it on social media on the National Student Leadership Week webpage.

NASC Recognizes Winners of the 2017 National Council of Excellence Awards
More than 250 middle level and high school student councils have been named NASC National Councils of Excellence for 2017. Their leadership, service, and council programs reflect the highest levels of excellence. During National Student Leadership Week, the list of winners will be published on the National Council of Excellence Awards page of the NASC Website.

Challenge your council to become a 2018 National Council of Excellence starting today! Your 2018 award portfolio and application must include all of your council activities and projects from January 1 through December 31, 2017. New 2018 applications will be available online in July. Set a new standard of excellence for your council. Go for the Gold next year!

Time to Renew
You will soon receive a letter by mail, including an invoice, to renew your school’s affiliation for the 2017–18 school year. Renew before June 30 for uninterrupted communication about new programs and services coming to NASC in the 2017–18 academic year—all with no increase in the affiliation fee. Want to renew now? Do it online right here!

Annual Adviser Survey Opens Soon
Every spring, we ask advisers to provide us with information about the activities and services their councils have performed. The survey asks you to quantify the work of your students in service and school improvement projects. Be on the lookout for a link to the survey on the NASC website and sent to you via email. Thank you for taking time to share your activities with the national office.

Register Now for the NASC National Conference
Registration for the 2017 NASC National Conference is now open. Get ready for an out-of-this-world student council experience, blasting off June 26 at Pinkerton Academy in New Hampshire. Visit the conference website to read about speakers and presenters who will be featured during the event. Register today to take advantage of the early-bird registration rate, available through May 1.

Lots of Global Change Going on
Activity surrounding the NASSP Student Leadership Initiative: Global Citizenship continues to grow among NASC councils and Honor Society chapters. To date, more than 400 projects supporting one of the global citizenship strands have been entered into the National Student Project Database. Photos of students making global change are being posted often on social media and appearing on the Making Global Change website. Share your council’s projects and activities using #MakingGlobalChange. Remember, your post to Instagram with the hashtag could earn a $100 prize that your council can designate for its favorite charity in the school’s name. There’s a new winner every month.

STUDENT COUNCIL TIPS AND TOOLS


When Letters are Addressed to “Student Council President”
Each year, letters arrive in schools addressed to the “Student Council President.” Most of the letters are legitimate and typically concern services, goods, or invitations to attend leadership programs. But sometimes they contain unwanted material, such as hate propaganda or other disturbing content. Unfortunately, some groups and organizations use such a tactic to get their materials into student populations. Because of strict postal regulations, it is important for school personnel and advisers to handle such mailings correctly.

Per the United States Postal Service, school employees can open any mail that is addressed to a student club or organization officer, but does not specifically name a student. The rationale for this ruling is that the student club or organization is part of the school; therefore, an agent of the school can open mail on behalf of the student organization. Additional guidance on the handling of mail sent to schools can be found on the NASSP website.