PYP Student Council

A Story about the PYP Student Council’s Many Successes and a Look Forward to What’s to Come.

 

This school year began with a lot of uncertainties. Classes were taught online with students and staff in varying levels of home isolation, but that did not dampen the spirits of the students. Dozens of XLIS’ brightest and most enthusiastic students quickly became actively involved with the PYP Student Council driven by their passion to make XLIS a better place.

 

These students have shown their commitment to the Student Council and their causes by giving up a portion of their playtime each week to commit the time to meet. Throughout the school year, the PYP Student Council members have demonstrated that not only are they capable and compassionate individuals, but also incredibly enthusiastic about their commitment to creating a better society. The 2021-2022 student council has shared many successes this year.

 

One of our first projects was ‘The Giving Tree’ This initiative was brought to the members by the Secondary Principal, Ms. Daun Yorke.Each year, XLIS students raise money for local families in need.The Student Council was asked to raise money for eight individuals through this program. It is through this challenge that the students were tasked with communicating the details of the program, brainstorming ways to raise money, and ultimately purchase a gift for an individual they were paired with.It was with great happiness and pride we were able to fulfill this first challenge.

 

Our second task was brought to us by a member of the XLIS community. We were told about Xinxing Kindergarten, a school in Tuqiao Town, Xunyi County, which teaches more than 400 students on a low budget. Because of the school’s lack of funding, the students did not have access to age-appropriate books.The student council members started an awareness campaign and requested used books to be donated to the school.They created posters, spoke to classmates and organized book drops throughout the school. Within a month, the students of XLIS were able to donate over 400 books to this school.

 

Next, the students decided to team up with the MYP/DP Student Council to raise funds for a XLIS student, Nantume Masturah, who is raising funds for a Women’s initiative in her village in Uganda. Nantume hopes to buy sewing machines and other materials to start a business that provides masks, bags, baskets,female hygiene products and other essentials to her village and surrounding areas. This project is aimed at providing career training and secure jobs to the young women it employs to provide a level of income security.   To date, the students have been able to raise half of the needed cost for this project as the fundraising continues.

 

Projects to look forward to:

· Redesign the Lost and Found to make it more efficient to find lost items.

· Brainstorm ways to lessen the wait times within the cafeteria for food.

· Educate the XLIS community on healthy eating to make more informed choices during lunch.

· Encourage the XLIS community to lessen food waste.

· Create a more inclusive and safer environment by lessening bullying on campus.

 

It has been a productive and successful year thus far. We are proud of all the hard work and successes our caring individuals have achieved this year, and we are looking forward to supporting them in their future projects. If you have any concerns or ideas as to ways to improve the XLIS community, you can bring these queries to any of the student council members or to Ms. Julia Fan of P6C or Ms. Denise Dukeshire P2B.

 

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Author: 

Denise Dukeshire  (P2B Homeroom Teacher)