Brookside Elementary’s Student Council held its first meeting of the year, and it was an inspiring start! Students discussed what it means to persevere in the face of challenges and learned about Meg Johnson, who despite a spinal cord injury, found happiness in her new reality. She encouraged us to Smile, Compliment, and Invite others—an important reminder for student leaders.
We also talked about grit and learned about Brad Barton, a famous runner from Utah who has shown the importance of never giving up, even when things are hard. His story reminded us that grit means working hard, staying focused, and pushing through challenges—a valuable trait for student leaders who want to make a difference.
Together, we discussed how we can best serve the students of Brookside and then spent time writing in our journals to set goals for the year ahead. Ms. Shakespeare, our school counselor, led a fun get-to-know-you game and shared ideas about how we can grow and learn from one another, even when we are different.
We also agreed on a meaningful quote to guide our work: “It’s ok to disagree with someone, but it’s not ok to be mean.” With this positive start, our student council is ready to make a difference at Brookside this year!
