Bulletin Board: Support

ASCA Student Council School of Excellence

The application for the 2021–2022 American Student Council Association (ASCA) Student Council of Excellence is open. This award recognizes student councils for outstanding participation in the following areas: community service, student leadership, citizenship, and school spirit.

Student councils that complete projects in two of the categories (for elementary school students) and all four categories (for middle-level students) are eligible to apply. Winning schools will receive a certificate of excellence and recognition in NAESP’s publications and on the NAESP website.

Honor the hard work of your school’s ASCA members by applying for this prestigious award. The deadline to apply is April 8. Learn more at naesp.org/ASCA.

Support for Students

Are your students missing out on the benefits of being an ASCA member? Aside from teaching skills outside the traditional academic curriculum and creating positive role models in a school community, ASCA member schools get:

• Access to the ASCA website, which features guidelines on starting a council, student handouts, election information, sample documents, a robust project database, and awards;
• The opportunity to recognize students annually for exhibiting leadership, civic responsibility, and organization and planning;
• Store discounts on all sorts of ASCA items;
• Monthly digital newsletters with relevant news and information, contests, grant opportunities, a pen pal match, and more; and
• A chance to be featured on the NAESP website and in ASCA newsletters.

What’s Your Hope for Students?

As schools continue to navigate learning during a pandemic, we asked participants of a recent Twitter chat, “Innovative Strategies School Leaders Need Now,” to tell us their hopes for students in a changing world. Principals and assistant principals alike shared inspiring and caring messages—many with common themes of love and resilience.

“My hope is that our students feel loved, accepted, and cared for.
Everything else is a bonus.”
—Ellen O’Neill (@ellen_oneill)

“I want them to continue to love coming to school, no matter what it looks like; to continue to grow as lifelong learners; to know that nothing is forever and they can get through anything; and maybe most importantly, that
they are important and loved.”
—Tara Falasco (@TaraFalasco)

“I want to prioritize equity and excellence for all—that includes students and staff. I hope all students are challenged, see their potential, and grow as much as they are able academically and emotionally while they are entrusted to our care.”
—James Frye (@mrjamesfrye)

“Hoping teachers can instill the love of reading into our students; [that] teachers are creating positive, meaningful, and memorable experiences for their students; and [that] students feel loved and cared for when they enter our buildings each and every day.” —J. Kapuchuck
(@PrincipalKap)

“That we acknowledge what they’ve gone through and continue to do. Yes, we acknowledge resilience, but have we listened to how they feel and are heard? How can we move forward and love?” —Zachary Korth (@AP_Korth)

Want to join our next #NAESPchat on Twitter? Check out naesp.org/events for the latest.