Blog

We would like to be among the first to wish you happy holidays. Although January 2017 marks a midpoint in the academic year, it is often a time for reflection and articulation of new goals. What is it that you wish to accomplish over the course of the year?  This academic year, we announced the...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more people than ever before are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a report from March 2016. Of course, teachers knew this long before any government report; they knew because IEPs pile up on their desks and autism advocates solicit their donations and...

Krysta Reed had been away from her rural west Texas school for six days on two separate trips with groups from her 147-member student council, and she had just gone through an emotional executive board shake-up. A regional event she was hosting for 500 other advisers was heavy on her mind, along with other issues...

This issue of Participation Station is all about social media. In today's day and age, social media is everywhere. It isn't just for personal use anymore; it's for advertising, entertainment, education—you name it, there is something about it on social media. As student leaders, it's important to use your social media accounts to share the...

Nice Spot of Tea Switch out that midday coffee for a cup of black tea. Think of it as a more relaxing way to get your caffeine fix. Sure, sipping on hot teas and beneficial L-Theanine amino acids can soothe your mood, but the real benefit lies in the patient and focused process of preparing...

Pumpkin Passes Want to spread Halloween cheer and raise awareness at the same time? Take a cue from St. Agnes Academy in Houston, TX. The student council held an event called Red Ribbon Week, where they planned a number of projects to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. On the first day...

Creating A 'Dream Team' Objective To improve the performance of a team, group, or committee through the establishment of behavioral norms and an accountability system created by the team members themselves. Materials Notebook paper, pens, sharpies, flip chart-sized Post-it notes or flip chart paper. Time Required 45 minutes Procedure Step 1: Define the "Dream Team"...

Maybe a personalized pick-me-up note is just what a student needs to start his or her week off on the right foot. Pick a few students and write an encouraging note on their desk with a dry-erase marker for them to walk in to on Monday. Do this every so often until every one of...

Whether you're applying for a job or to college, interviews are almost always a crucial part of your evaluation. I have found that being an NASC Distinguished Student Leader gives you opportunities to practice the skills that you would use in an interview, as well as provides you with qualifications that would certainly impress the...

It's often stated when a huge prize is at stake in a Powerball or Mega Millions game: "You gotta be in it to win it." The same is true for the various recognition programs offered by the National Honor Societies. But unlike the lottery, these programs are not a game of chance and, frankly, these...

Your Students Could Become YouTube Stars! October is National Principals Month, which means it's time for students to show their appreciation for their principal. One way for them to get involved is to create a fun, unique video about how great their principal is. In addition, students are encouraged to show their principal some love...

When planning your many activities this year, it is our hope that you are incorporating efforts related to the NASSP Student Programs National Initiative, Global Citizenship. The five strands associated with our national initiative—awareness and perspective, civic engagement, empathetic actions/personal wellness, equity, and positive social change—encourage students to have an impact beyond their immediate community,...

We all know how much goes into managing a chapter of National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, or student council. It can be a daunting task, particularly when your membership reaches more than 100 students. As a chapter adviser for the last seven years, I've seen membership grow and finally plateau at about 115...

There is plenty of media out there discussing what students cannot do, like write in cursive or dial a rotary phone. However, we teachers know a secret: When given the opportunity, there are amazing things that our students can do. That is why the National Honor Societies (NHS and NJHS) exist—to empower students to use...

Change is coming our way. With the passage and early implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act, the federal government is working to move schools forward after No Child Left Behind and help states offer fewer, but higher-quality tests. Part of this plan is the "Innovative Assessment" pilot, designed to allow states to develop, try,...

As a busy adviser your time is especially valuable, so we've rounded up tips and resources just for you that only take 10 minutes or less Type to Relax Suffering from writer's block? Bring up that news article or guilty-pleasure read that you've been meaning to get to and type out the words in a...

Make-A-Wish Week The Rangeview High School Student Leadership organization in Aurora, CO, hosted its second annual Make-A-Wish Week in February. Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit organization that grants the wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. Rangeview Student Leadership raised funds for a 4-year-old girl named Sloane, who is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sloane's wish...

2016 graduate from Kailua High School in Kailua, HI, and undergraduate at Hawaii Pacific University Zachary Espino epitomizes what it means to be a student leader. He was heavily involved in both student council and the National Honor Society (NHS) during his high school career. He realized his leadership potential through his participation in both...

Student Week Objective Students will plan a weeklong series of events to build a greater school community. Materials A large piece of paper or a digital space (like a Google Doc) for students to brainstorm, task-analyze, and assign responsibilities. (Additional materials will vary depending on activities planned.) Time Required Two to three 20-minute council or...

Principals deserve encouragement all year long, and there is no better time to boast about your favorite principal's prowess than during National Principals Month. Extend a bit of public gratitude to your principal on social media this October using the hashtag #ThankAPrincipal. Source: www.principalsmonth.org This year's LEAD Conferences (www.leadconferences.org) are right around the corner. Plan...