Student Council’s monthly town hall meetings began last year, and new principal Dr. Connie Redic has decided to continue them. Students who attend the town hall meetings are able to chat with their principal about issues they have with different rules or anything around the school.
“With this new team of administration, the school feels more divided than ever before and with these meetings, we hope to accomplish better unity and communication between staff and students,” Junior Class President Ray Roberts (11) said.
Redic says she encourages open communication so that students can express their concerns.
“Bring the tough questions. I have no issue answering whatever questions you have,” Redic said. “It may not always be the answer you want but I will answer them, so I welcome all of our students to come and to ask me whatever they want to know.”
For students who can’t attend the meetings, they can fill out a Google form and STUGO members ensure that those concerns get brought up.
“I didn’t directly speak to the principal, but I did fill out the google form and talk to some of the STUGO members and my opinions felt very valued and heard,” Hayden Konmanichanh (10) said. “Dr. Redic was very direct with how she felt and why she implemented some of her rules and it overall brought a lot of clarity to students including me who didn’t understand why so much had changed.”
Students we spoke to say they feel like they have a principal who cares and who brings the school together to make students feel more respected.
“I would recommend this to other schools because principals are really busy so it’s nice being guaranteed a chat with them about issues around the school and it shows that they care,” Kongmanichanh said.
One change that has already been made is passing during seminar, which is now allowed on Thursdays and Fridays. Town hall meetings are held once a month during lunch in Todd Sigwing’s classroom, E204. The date can be found on Southeast social media and flyers around the school.
