District 116 creates PRIDE to work with students

As part of an ever-growing commitment to improving communications within Round Lake Area Unit District 116, Superintendent Constance Collins has decided to establish a new committee with students this year.

It’s called PRIDE — “Prepared, Respectful, Integrity and Dedicated.”

The intent of this committee is to have direct and candid conversations with District 116 children to hear how to best serve their educational needs. On Nov, 16, at least 30 students from John T. Magee Middle School, Round Lake Middle School and Round Lake High School met with Collins and other administrators for the first time and formed the PRIDE Committee.

Students were split into mixed grade level groups to discuss two questions: What is going well at your school and what would you like to see improved?

Pupils said they believe there are many opportunities available such as sports, clubs and other after-school activities. Some areas for improvement focused on the need to improve school spirit, offering healthier lunch choices, communicating more thoroughly the new grading procedure changes at the high school, and the need to increase preparation time for state and local assessments.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19. Students will present the results of their internal school discussions and will work to develop a plan to resolve some of the areas in need of improvement.

“I am very proud of the discussions that took place during our first meeting and look forward to further collaboration with our secondary students,” Collins said.