Throughout the previous school year, the Life Skills Committee, a sub-committee from Sterling High School’s student council, has been hosting activities and events for Life Skills students. Events like scavenger hunts, science experiments, and much more have been hosted by the committee. According to Life Skills Committee Chair, junior Gavin Fischer, the committee “focuses on providing STEM or Agriculture activities”for the Life Skills Students.
The Life Skills Committee is working towards more agriculture based learning activities, when asked about his new activities Fischer said, “A new activity we’re bringing is additional agriculture in the classroom. Grace Wetzell, the President of the S.H.S. Future Farmers of America chapter has assisted me in the process.” These new activities take place in Life Skills classrooms all over the district.
These agricultural activities aren’t just random. The committee has surveyed the Life Skill classes to understand what the students are more interested in, and according to Fischer the “feedback from life skills staff and students shows that one of their favorite activities is agriculture, so it is my job to better implement that in the classroom.”
The committee also works in schools other than Sterling High School. This year they are working towards planning more meetings at Challand Middle School and involving the middle school Life Skill students in high school Life Skills activities. When asked about the committee’s involvement with Challand Middle School, Chairman Fischer plans to start “hosting monthly advisory activities with them, along with inviting them to participate in some events with the high schoolers.” Including this May, where the Life Skills Committee will be holding a field day at Challand Middle School.
Along with their involvement at Challand Middle School, the committee is collaborating with Washington Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School Life Skills classes to provide the students with more activities and opportunities with the help of the FFA Community.
Already this year, the committee has undergone major changes since the last time they met. When Chairman Fischer was asked about any changes to the committee, he said “Last year we had six hand-picked members, but we have now gotten to 27. In addition, we now have 1-3 committee members leading our activities, rather than myself planning and executing all of them.”
The committee is already working hard to provide these students with a more connected and interactive Life Skills class. Life Skills Aide Shay Papoccia shared “the dedication and teamwork I’ve seen from Gavin and his crew is truly inspiring. I’m really proud of what they’ve accomplished so far and excited to see what’s next.”
