Empowering Students

Our elementary school ranges from K1 to Grade 5. During lunchtime, students sit at tables that are assigned by grade level and classroom. This arrangement has been a topic of conversation this year, especially among the older students who would like to sit wherever they want.

The elementary Student Council decided to address the issue by advocating for free lunch seating for fourth and fifth graders. Led by their group’s teacher-sponsors, the students put together a plan that included meeting with their classmates to create a set of behavior guidelines and meeting with teachers and administrators for feedback and approval.

The students put a lot of thought into what might be stumbling blocks that would get in the way of making free seating a positive experience. They came up with three very simple – but very effective – guidelines for students to follow, and they made a sign to act as a reminder. The sign says:

1. Include everyone! If someone asks, “Can I sit here?” the answer should always be, “Yes!” so that no one feels left out or has hurt feelings.
2. No saving seats. The sign includes images for hats and lunch boxes – two main items students use to save seats – as reminders that anyone is welcome to sit anywhere. This will help create a welcoming environment for all.
3. Keep the noise level down. This will allow for friends to sit beside friends – and actually be able to carry on a conversation.

Through their well-planned advocacy, the students earned the privilege of free seating in the cafeteria on a trial basis for two weeks. They held an assembly with the two grade levels to share the good news and to make sure everyone understood the expectations. During the trial, student council members will support their classmates in following the guidelines so that they can keep the privilege.

As I visited the cafeteria over the past week, I was pleased to find that the students had risen to the challenge. They are taking very seriously the responsibility of monitoring their behavior so that they can keep the privilege. Best of all, this is turning out to be an amazing learning opportunity. With the guidance of their teachers and the support they are providing to each other, the students have been empowered to effect change. (I have a feeling that the trial basis will turn into business-as-usual for the rest of the year!)

This is a great lesson for me, too. By empowering students, I’ve been excited to find them eager to do the required work and take on the necessary responsibility to give their initiative the greatest chance for success. I am inspired to find more ways to include students’ voices in creating a positive educational environment, and I look forward to supporting them as they learn to take ownership for their learning.