A Letter from your President: Entering the 2018-2019 Year
Photo Courtesy of: Grace Austin
The Student Government hopes to add more class events, like the Halloween Dance.
September 28, 2018
Dear CRLS,
Welcome back! As we kick off the new school year, Student Government is excited to continue traditions from the past, as well as provide new events and policies that will accomplish the visions our student body wishes to see here at Rindge.
Although school has only been in session for one month, there has been a lot of change at CRLS. Namely, this year marks the first year of the school’s 1:1 “CRLS Connects” computer policy, which aims to provide every student with a Chromebook to use at home and at school.
Current School Committee representatives Antonio Escallon ’19 and Anthony Grassi ’19 heard from several students and families about their opinions on the new policy. This topic has generated a lot of conversation in school, and student representatives want to ensure that all voices and perspectives are being advocated for.
Student Government members met with Principal Smith to understand all factors concerning the new installation of technology. The meeting included deep discussion on the stigmas surrounding different types of technology and how that may create divides in the classroom.
In addition, a new Community Meeting agenda was made, based on a survey filled out by students indicating the way they want to use the first 15 minutes of the day. The majority of students who voted wanted to have three days of a structured CM, followed by two days where students could choose what they wanted to do. This system is based with Opportunity To Improve goals, or OTI.
Beginning in October, this policy will also begin a pass/fail system for students based on attendance. Over the summer, many students reached out to address this new policy.
We have been working to understand more specifically what students want to do with their time during CM in order to motivate students to effectively use their time the way they need to, both through surveys and conversations.
Aside from the work on these policies, we have also planned several events for the year, and put our best effort into fundraising in order to ensure the events can happen at an affordable and accessible way.
CM Celebration took place throughout the week of September 24th, where our CM doors were decorated with Falcon Pride. Club Day also took place on September 26th and 27th. The hallways were bustling with activity and engagement in a variety of different clubs.
A Halloween dance, sponsored by the Senior Class, will also take place as an in-school dance. The Winter Ball is still being planned.
Fall elections for School Committee and Sophomore and Junior Representatives will take place from September 26th to the 28th. Voting surveys will be sent out through school emails.
With a busy start to the year, our Student Government has showed enthusiasm and commitment to making the CRLS community stronger. We are genuinely excited when we receive suggestions or requests to work on a new policy or event, so continue communicating with us! If you are interested in joining Student Government or want to share an idea, come to room 1606 (Ms. Cesario’s room) at 7:15 every Monday, and we will listen to you!
Best,
Grace Austin, ’19
Student Body President
This piece also appears in our September 2018 print edition.
