Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan holds virtual meetings with student advisory council
For the past four years, UCPS Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan has hosted quarterly meetings with 55 high schoolers on his Student Advisory Council. However, with schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their meetings look a bit different now.
In an effort to stay connected with students and check on their social and emotional well-being during the school closure, Houlihan and members of Cabinet are hosting virtual meetings with student advisory council members at each of the district’s high schools.
The meetings are largely informal and designed to help Houlihan and staff get a pulse on how students are coping with recent changes.
One of the top discussions during recent Parkwood and Cuthbertson high meetings was senior graduation, a challenge that nearly every school district across the nation is also grappling with right now.
“Honestly, I’d rather have a graduation than a prom. Walking that stage has kind of been everyone’s dream,” Cuthbertson High senior Ariana Thompson said. “One thing that I’ve definitely learned during this is to not to take anything for granted. I really do miss school and my teachers.”
During the virtual meetings, students also brainstormed suggestions for graduation that ranged from drive-in movie theatres to curbside graduation celebrations to postponing the celebrations to August.
“We know that graduation is a big one for the Class of 2020, so let your peers know that we are working through ideas and want their feedback,” Houlihan told them. “We are committed to finding ways to celebrate and honor our seniors.”
Students also provided their feedback on the district’s current remote learning plan, the state Board of Education’s change to this semester’s academic grading policy, how they and their peers are feeling about the school closure, emotional support and more.
“I’ve been getting emails every day from my AP Literature teacher and he is unrelenting in making sure we’re doing our work. All of our AP teachers have been really helpful with getting out review materials,” Parkwood High senior Sam Robinson.
Houlihan also answered some of the questions they’ve had surrounding the remainder of the school year.
Above all, Houlihan said he has always appreciated having these frank discussions with his student advisory council as ongoing student feedback is critical to the success of our school system. By meeting with them virtually, he is able to continue to connect with them during the school closure.
“I love connecting with our students and seeing you all,” Houlihan said through his computer screen to Cuthbertson High and Parkwood High students. “We miss you terribly and I wish this wasn’t going on right now, but I hope you realize your health and safety come first.”