Your complete rundown of NatStuCo news and activities.

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PROJECTS OF EXCELLENCE

There are more than 7,500 project ideas available at your fingertips! Browse the National Student Project Database on www.NatStuCo.org for ideas from other schools using our new search filters, and submit your own successful projects for others to view.

 

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Love Run

Princess Anne High School, VA

Princess Anne High School hosted the 13th annual Love Run on February 4, 2017, to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD). It was started in 2004 by the SCA president, who was diagnosed with cancer. When he was released he wanted to thank CHKD for his amazing treatment, so he created a 5K race called Love Run. In 2017, we raised over $7,000 and have raised over $80,000 in the past 12 years.

LEARN MORE

 

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Basketball Pep Rally 2017

Garrett Junior High School

On February 14, 2017, we held a pep rally for our basketball teams. Our school is small and has no cheerleaders, so it is up to student council to really get the crowd going. The student council members danced to a song called “Like Me” from the Disney movie “Teen Beach.” For many of us, it was the first time we have ever had to dance in front of people, but it was worth it to make the students laugh. Throughout the season, our student council showed up to all the home games and made a tunnel for the players as their names were announced.

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TOP NEWS

 

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Student Profiles

In order to provide the most useful programs and services to our member schools, students are now able to create an online account. As their adviser, you’ll receive a notification email from us containing a list of each student who has created a profile online so you can confirm membership and data accuracy.

Learn more

 

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National Councils of Excellence

Time to put the final touches on your National Council of Excellence materials. The February 15 deadline to submit applications is just days away. Be sure to review all parts of your application to ensure accuracy. If your council is submitting a full application form, don’t forget to upload a letter of recommendation from your principal. Winners will be announced during National Student Leadership Week in April.

Apply now

 

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National Student Leadership Week

Join NatStuCo members across the country April 21–27 for the annual celebration of National Student Leadership Week. The theme “Student Leaders: Taking Charge” empowers students to use their voices, skills, and positions to improve the culture in their schools and communities. The week is also an opportunity for schools to recognize the time and effort student leaders dedicate to help others.

Learn more

 

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Career Exploration Series

Catch the latest additions to the NatStuCo Career Exploration Series. Each video features former student leaders discussing their work, talking about college, and sharing insight on their paths from high school to career. Newly added materials include student thought questions and a free downloadable discussion guide to help students get more from the videos they watch.

Watch now

 

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Advisers! Save 50 Percent on Your Registration

NatStuCo advisers registering for the National Student Council Conference by February 28 receive a special 50 percent discounted rate with promo code: 19FEB. The annual conference is a unique opportunity for student council members and advisers from across the country to sharpen their leadership skills and build their peer networks. (Discount does not apply to student registrations.)

Register today

 

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National Student Council Conference: Call for Presentations

Applications are currently being accepted for workshop and seminar presenters. Adviser- and student-led sessions enrich everyone’s conference experience. Presenting is your opportunity to share ideas, strategies, and activities that make your council programs successful and is your chance to sharpen your own skills. Deadline to submit presenter applications is May 22.

Apply now

 

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Get the most out of LEAD Chicago

Maximize your LEAD Chicago experience by applying to present a workshop. Share your successful strategies for building your council, planning projects, or improving student voice and engagement. Each student- and adviser-led workshop enriches the conference training program for everyone. Presenter applications are being accepted through Friday, February 22, at midnight Pacific Time.

Apply now

 

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Celebrate Middle Level Education Month

NASSP has joined with the Association for Middle Level Education, The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, Adolescent Success, ACT, and Active Schools to declare March the official month to celebrate middle level education. NatStuCo middle level and high school members can join in the activities by supporting local events and planning special activities of their own. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Middle level councils: Design recruiting posters or information flyers that introduce elementary students to student council and other leadership opportunities at your school.
  2. Make a presentation about leadership and your student council to PTA/PTO groups.
  3. High school councils: Host a leadership training or activity workshop for middle level leaders.
  4. Plan and host a joint middle level/high school council service project.
Learn more

 

Trending in the Adviser Online Community

Joining Forces: Co-Sponsoring Projects and Events

Does your student council co-sponsor or collaborate with other clubs or groups in your school to host projects and activities? Visit the Adviser Online Community to share the kinds of events that are co-hosted, along with any strategies and tips for success that will help fellow NatStuCo advisers.

Log in to join the conversations or post one of your own right now in the new Adviser Online Community.

 

Student Council Tips and Tools

Preplanning for Elections

By far, the majority of student council elections are held during the spring semester, but no matter when your council runs its elections, it is both prudent and advantageous for advisers to develop a yearly practice of making an early review of the election rules, practices, and timelines. The purpose is twofold. A thorough review refreshes adviser and council members’ working knowledge of all aspects of the election from candidate applications to ballot counting. It is also a time to identify election rules that need updating for compliance or other reasons. An advantage of making any adjustments to rules or procedures and publishing them well in advance of elections is that it tends avert or minimize issues that might arise from springing last-minute changes on the candidates. As you begin preparing for your elections this spring, refer to Chapter VI in your NatStuCo Student Council Handbook and the resources found under the Elections and Selections tile located in the Adviser Resource Center. And remember, as with all student council rules and policies, “write what you do and do what your write.”

 

IMPORTANT DATES

FEBRUARY

15 National Council of Excellence Awards Application Due
22 LEAD Chicago Presenter Application Deadline
28 NatStuCo Conference Adviser Registration Discount Deadline

MARCH

22–24 LEAD Chicago

APRIL

15 Ardis Kyker State Service Project Award Application Deadline
19 NatStuCo Conference Early Bird Deadline
21–27 National Student Leadership Week

In the Latest Advise

Advise magazine cover

 

Feel like your council meetings are in a rut? Meetings should be a great opportunity for your group to share camaraderie, build enthusiasm for your purpose, and provide leadership and advocacy opportunities. Learn how to make the most of your meetings in the latest issue of Advise!

Tell us your story! We’re actively seeking story ideas that will engage the academic community. If you’d like to contribute an article to Advise, view the editorial calendar or send your ideas to [email protected].

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