Remove barriers to the participation, and success, of students
Broadcast and listen to student voice
Enhance student belonging
Show a belief in the unlimited potential of every student
While the wording may vary slightly, the four statements above are considered the “4 Bs” of student-centered and successful schools. This easy-to-remember model of school improvement has been part of the HSD’s Strategic Plan since 2020 and it’s been embraced by the district’s school leaders, including Principal Bess Colpron and Dean of Students Sid Slom at Hockinson Middle School. Colpron and Slom, along with their Leadership teachers Mariah Maudlin and Megan Shinn, have championed the 4 Bs as they have worked to increase student involvement, school spirit, and leadership among their school’s 487 Hornets.
Case-in-point: Last year, 28 students were involved in the school’s student leadership program. This year, through the addition of a second class, participation has increased to 55 students.
What led to the change? According to Colpron, it came down to the students and school culture. “We had strong interest in student leadership as an elective and we wanted to increase student voice on campus, especially from our 6th Graders. So it was an easy but important decision to make,” said Colpron.
The leadership classes are joined, but not exactly “at the hip” explained Colpron. “One class is focused on ASB Leadership. Their focus has been on updating the school’s ASB Constitution and practicing decision-making processes like Robert’s Rules of Order, and planning and executing school and community service projects,” she said. Meanwhile, the other leadership class takes the lead on campus-wide culture by organizing assemblies, activities, and fundraisers. “Both are important halves of the whole,” said Colpron.
Colpron and Slom are continually amazed by the creativity and collaboration shown by students. “We say it again and again, but it’s true: We have the best students. We’ve found that when we provide them with opportunities, whether it’s in athletics, or clubs, or leadership, our students come through,” said Colpron. “Our school becomes more vibrant every day because of our students. It’s their school and they are bringing forth new student-led activities and more more and they are feeling a strong sense of ownership,” added Colpron.
That ownership, they say, is a two-way street. Colpron loves seeing HMS students learn through experience and realize that they not only have a say in what goes on, they have a responsibility for putting goals into action. To Colpron, “leadership isn’t just about coming up with an idea, it’s about planning, advocacy, teamwork, and everything involved in making things happen."