A Middle Level Student Council should offer students leadership opportunities and help bring their school together with spirited activities and community service. Students learn how to become involved citizens and how their involvement can create change. Student Council members learn life long skills in leadership, public speaking, networking and organization.

Murdock MS, Winchendon, MA- Advisor: Rachel Weinhold ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Our student council has grown this year thanks to our newly added 6th grade residents. Murdock housed only grades 7 - 12 until this August when we moved in 140 6th graders. We are psyched !

We kicked off the year with an orientation and BBQ for the 6th/7th graders. Our veteran council members served as tour guides for this popular event.

We participated in spirit week in October with the high school council. Our theme days were: Mismatch Monday, Hat Day, Wanna Be Wednesday, and Twin Day. Students that participated in Hat Day were asked to make a $1 donation to Caps for Cancer.

Our council participated in the Haunted Hallway event during the week of Halloween. Council members transformed a classroom into a spooky cemetary scene and dressed in zombie costumes. This popular event brought in over 500 visitors from the community.

We've matched our student council kids with the 1st grade Reading Buddies. We've scheduled monthly meetings with them where the 1st graders read to our middle schoolers and vice versa.

Lastly, we are currently collecting new pajamas for the Scholastic Book Pajama drive. We've been collecting pajamas during the month of November. For every pair donated, Scholastic donates a book.

Qualters MS, Mansfield, MA

Advisors: Kim Bennett ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Danielle Keliher

Just uploaded a new stuco web site: www.mansfieldschools.com/qms/studetn%20council.htm

Haunted Hallways: Members developed and worked on scenes for each of the grde level halls, as well as the courtyard (outside) area. Tour guides acted as the storytellers for each scene. Each hall focused on a specific theme (8th = science experiment gone wrong, 7th = scary movies, 6th = kidnapping of a tour guide, courtyard area = haunted circus) Outside organizations, such as the Tri - M Band participated as actors in one of the halls. The drama and art teachers assisted with make up.

Prior to the event, permission slips were sent home and collected. Names were highlighted and students paid $5 at the door. Students purchased concession with a special combo meal being offered for the price of $2 (slice of pizza, drink, chips/pretzel)

When students entered the cafeteria, there were two areas for seating. The "Graveyard" was for eating concessions and when they returned from the tour. The "Tour" area was where they signed up with their friends to form a group of 13. Students received a group number/letter and were notified by the Tour Guides when it was time to be lead through the halls. Students waiting their turn played the "Guessing Game", "Witch Hat Ring Toss", and "Pin the Blood on the Vampire". The winners received special prizes, and participatants did not walk away empty handed. The "Guessing Game" allowed students to estimate the number of pieces of candy in jars. Two winners received a gift card from Blockbuster.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to a particular cause connected to the school's "Jeans on Friday" fund. Each month, money is collected when staff members wear jeans, and the amount is donated to a different charity each time.

HAUNTED HALLWAYS WAS A HUGE SUCCESS  - over 300 kids in attendance !!!

ML Service Project Ideas

1) "Clean Out Your Closet" clothes drive.

2) "Can Your Principal" - Fill up your Principal's office with canned food.

3) Read books to elementary students.

4) Host a dinner for the elderly from your town.

5) Make blankets or quilts for an orphanage.

6) Adopt a family for Christmas - family receives gifts/grocery gift certificates

7) Visit an Assisted Living Home four times a year (Oct, Dec, Feb, April)

8) Host a "Lip Sync" Contest - charge admission/donate all proceeds to a charity

9) Tutor elementary school children.

10) Put together " I Care Kits" for the homeless (all hygiene products)

11) Walk dogs at a local animal shelter.

12) Operation Leaf Sweep - rake leaves for the elderly

13) Collect blankets for a homeless shelter.

14) Partner with Anton's Cleaners - "Coats for Kids"

15) Help with Toys for Tots

16) Collect stuffed animals for kids in crisis

17) Write letters to military personnel overseas.

18) Volunteer at a food bank.

19) Work in a soup kitchen.

20) Create a toy box for an emergency room

USEFUL RESOURCES FOR ADVISORS

NASC (National Association of Student Councils)

SASC (Southern Association of Student Councils)

Alliance For Student Activities

Canadian Association of Student Activities

Oriental Trading (Cheap Supplies and Favors)

The Hunger Site

Service Learning