Assemblies are a school sanctioned event where all or select grades meet. These meetings allow students to engage in activities with their peers, be informed about upcoming events, and learn about engaging topics like mental health and bullying. “School assemblies are a valuable administrative tool for promoting school unity, recognizing students, and extending classroom learning. The obstacles of time, assembly funding, and inadequate assembly facilities can be overcome with skillful planning and by the utilization of resources within the school and community” (scholarlycommons.pacific).
Edison Intermediate School (EIS) is now holding annual monthly assemblies. These events are held in the gymnasium where students voluntarily play games and become educated on mental health topics while opening time for bonding between teachers, students, and grade levels making EIS a more united community.
Recently EIS has presented numerous awards during the monthly assemblies. These awards are called “Student of the Month¨ awards. They are given to students based on components such as kindness, participation, and overall qualities that contribute to EIS. Eighth grader Bailey Gaines shared, ¨I think Student of the Month isn’t based on academic grades, it’s based on how much teachers like you which does not give students a fair chance.¨
Despite Bailey’s opinion, the teachers who decide upon the students who receive the award say that the honor is not based on how much a student is liked, but they way they act on a daily basis. Students who get the award are consistently a positive part of the EIS community. History teacher Mr. Robert Maver explained, “We decide on the Student of the Month with a whole team. It’s based on a person’s character, kindness, and attitude in school.”
Students have recently argued that walking up to the stage causes anxiety and stress, seventh grader David Douglas stated, “Student of the Month gives something for students to reach for, even though it’s embarrassing when everyone watches you walk up to the presenters. “
Maddy Koelhoffer, who received an award declared, “I enjoyed the feeling of getting the award, but I didn’t like going up to the front of the assembly.”
Maddy did add that maybe the award announcement could be done over the loudspeaker in homeroom instead of during the assembly.
Eighth grader Mia Denner said, ¨I would not like to receive the award because it’s embarrassing to go up in front of the whole school, but I do think it’s good for some people because it encourages them to work harder.”
Other students argue that student of the month is a positive experience all around and encourages good learning habits. Seventh grader David Douglas shares his thoughts, “Student of the Month gives students something to reach for.”
While many students have different ideas and opinions for the student of the month awards, it has sparked conversation all around EIS.
Another component of the monthly assemblies is peer bonding between grade levels. To make this possible, staff and students have participated in games that mainly target team bonding. Recently, the December assembly offered games such as gift wrapping and mummy wrapping. During these challenges, two students or staff are given a task they must work together in order to complete while students cheer for their grade level. For example, during the gift wrapping competition, students and staff are competing with a timer and participants are only allowed to use one hand. Peers must communicate with each other in order to wrap the gift in time for a prize.
Seventh grader Lucas Kessler is one of many students who look forward to the games the assemblies provide. He said, “The games are really fun, but I would like to see more options, like potato sack racing.”
Many other students have participated in these games. Seventh grader Josephine Serapiypia shared her experience: “I think the games are very fun, and it’s good for students to participate in them.”
These assemblies have given students opportunities to experience things outside of their classrooms. Seventh grader Gia Fuzzy enjoys being up from her desk.”The assemblies let students do other things besides learning during the school day.”
Students all around EIS look forward to the activities provided in the assemblies as it gives them a chance to bond with peers and experience things outside of the normal learning curriculum.
