Anonymous wrote:What's even the point of a student government? It's not like they can implement policy. What kind of change or governing can they even provide?

My DD was treasurer. Then another year she was VP. She arranged for her charter and another charter to co-sponsor a dance with a DJ. She got a microwave oven in her lunchroom. She organized a petition to fire the Assistant Principal (demanding she pay back the SGA before she leave) (she wasn't fired, but she did pay them back). She got the principal to agree that when he suspended kids for racially motivated violence, the kids would have to read one of seven books she and the president picked and would have to write a report on what the book was about and what they learned and how it was connected to them and what they'd done to get suspended (she had bullet points for that presentation).

I think because her school is small (around 300 kids?) she was able to get a lot of face time with the principal and she's very good at persuasive speaking.

Correct me if I'm wrong but in high school don't the upper class class presidents attend the school board meetings? Or do they literally have zero power and just plan dances?

Anonymous wrote:What's even the point of a student government? It's not like they can implement policy. What kind of change or governing can they even provide?

What's even the point of drama club? They never get to Broadway and no one even pays to see their shows. What's the point of basketball, when the season is just going to end anyway and it doesn't change anything that they had all those games.

Sarcasm over. My kid is 12 and part of student government. They plan fundraisers, donation drives, and social events. Then run meetings and take minutes. They advertise with posters and flyers. It's like everything in school: practice. They learn to work as a group toward a goal.

Really, we're even cynical about this now, mocking kids for wanting to help their school and mocking parents for caring? I will never understand why there is such hate for people who stand up and try to make things better for no pay and usually no praise.

My kid was the student body president last year, so I knew then. This year, not so much. The kids usually know, but I really don't think many parents do. That does not mean you are disengaged.

No.

At her school it is basically a popularity contest. It's always a good-looking athlete who wins it. They don't do anything except plan prom/homecoming/homecoming week.

What's even the point of a student government? It's not like they can implement policy. What kind of change or governing can they even provide?

no. And I don't even know if my kids do-- tis a huge school MS. And, I'd be willing to bet that B. DeVos doesn't even know what a student body government even is (not sure that private schools have them, mine didn't).

Nope, not at either school.

I do, only because the student president's mom has told me 4-5 times. Ridiculous.

I am involved in the school for all the things that will bring value to my kids education. In the process, I do end up helping other people as well as the school. However, my primary motive is to eventually create opportunities for my own child.

It turns out almost everything I do for my child at the school helps the whole school as well. I do not know what it makes me - an engaged or a helicopter mom? I thought it just made me a mom.

Anonymous wrote:If my kid was involved in student government then I woukd probably know that kids name.

I do know the best actor in the theater program and the the girl who gets the best solos in choir. Does that count?

I read this as, if our kid was involved in student government then you would know his/her (your own kid's) name. I think that was wrong.

However, I would like to go out on a limb and say that

1) If your kid is the student body president, and you still can't name the student body president, you are a disengaged parent.

2) If you can name your own kid (regardless of whether he/she holds elected office) that is not enough to qualify you as helicopter mom.

Yes, because he happens to be a good friend of my kid.

I don't think this makes me either "engaged" or "helicopter".

If my kid was involved in student government then I woukd probably know that kids name.

I do know the best actor in the theater program and the the girl who gets the best solos in choir. Does that count?

Anonymous wrote:Of course I do. I've been leaving messages in her voice mail every day since her inauguration. Resist!

LOL! Reminds me, I haven't made my calls yet today...