Under the direction of Principal Serge Marshall Davis, a multi-layered, student government is currently active at P.S./M.S. 95, The Sheila Mencher School, located in Van Cortlandt Village. Instructional coach and student council advisor, Andrea Faulkner, says students are encouraged to join the student council to broaden their educational experience.

 

At the school, located at 3961 Hillman Avenue, students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, advocate for a variety of causes, get involved in community service (at grade appropriate levels), and engage in two-way communication with both the school’s administration and the student body on both school issues and on current events.

 

Lois Badji, a student at the school, said of her experience on the council, “I like being a part of the student council because my thoughts, opinions, and voice are able to be heard.”

 

A spring term highlight at the school is the celebrated, annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) walk. Senior students walk from the school around Jerome Park Reservoir and back, while junior students walk several times around the large school block to raise awareness about juvenile diabetes.

 

The event is organized and coordinated by the student government and includes planning efficient, staggered walk schedules, organizing color-coded tee shirts by grade level, and preparing spirited songs sung by the students as they walk along the reservoir’s mile-plus route.

 

Upon the students’ return, teachers and community board representatives typically present fun, educational classroom activities on juvenile diabetes and healthy living topics.

 

The student government also hosts other fun events like school dances e.g. the Valentine’s Day Dance and the “Spring Fling.” This requires preparing decorations, refreshments, coordinating school staff chaperones and help from parents, and arranging exciting DJ music. The council also leads Field Days, which are great occasions for students to get some outdoor exercise.

 

Student council member, Dariela Hildago, likes how the student government helps students get the most out of school life. She said she feels school is a place to be enjoyed and she sees the efforts being made to help younger children feel that way too!

 

Other projects the student government leads from time to time include educational awareness fundraisers for causes like breast cancer, autism, and childhood cancer. For breast cancer, this includes promoting the annual American Cancer Society’s Orchard Beach Walk and selling pink bracelets.

 

For autism, it includes posting fliers around the school and selling blue bracelets, and for childhood cancer, it includes sharing educational materials, and selling bracelets to benefit St. Jude’s medical research efforts. The council has also supported the non-profit, City Harvest, building on this year’s theme to “feed the hungry.”

 

Bendji Pierre notes that the student council basically represents all the students at the school and they “come up with things that the students would like and help kids that need things.”

 

The council also represents the student body in holding student forums to discuss school issues with the administration. These have included whether students can wear crocs to school, and proposed changes to the cafeteria seating arrangements. Other forums have been held on more serious topics such as the death of George Floyd. Educational forums are also held on topics like Women’s History Month.

 

Of her experience on the council, student government representative, Yvette Adwubi-Bissah, enthusiastically said, “We are able to have plans and speak, and we are able to make presentations to the students when we have an educational topic that we want to get out to them.”

 

Meanwhile, student council representative, Zarique Nelson, said he focuses on “spreading awareness to students to be the best they can be.” He gave examples like learning healthy living habits and deterring unhealthy practices like smoking and vaping. He said he feels the council “is a place where you can express your ideas and it’s just amazing!”

 

For her part, Ms. Faulkner summed up her thoughts on the council, saying, “It’s a wonderful thing that students have a voice, and I feel good to be helping them learn how to use it!”