Project Parkway Gets Students Involved

Project Parkway is an advisory council that meets four times a year to discuss various programs in Parkway: Wellness, Technology, Special Education, Science, School Climate, Gifted, Facilities, and Assessment. In previous years, this committee consisted of parents, Parkway staff, and Board of Education members; however, this year they decided to ask students to get involved.

 “We have moved to a new stage in the planning process.  We are now seeing implementation of the plan in schools,” said Board of Education President Beth Feldman. “High school students have a unique viewpoint that we need to consider when we make changes.  I have really enjoyed hearing from the students in the different advisory meetings.”

This year students attending Parkway high schools were asked to give their opinions about certain topics needing revision in the district.

“All of the adults and students were very kind and inviting and you felt like you could give your input whenever you felt necessary,” said freshman Jennifer Greenberg.

“I do enjoy coming to the meetings because they give me a better understanding of what is going on in the district, and they allow me to share my ideas of good ways to make things better. As a student, this is a huge privilege,” said junior Sheena Mohammed.

Students were invited to join the superintendent for dinner before all meetings as a way to become better acquainted with advisors, the program, and other Parkway students. 

“I always felt very welcomed to the meetings,” said senior Anthony Henderson. “I think it is remarkable that even with their busy schedules, the superintendents of the district take the time to listen to our feedback and are genuine.”

“Teachers, department heads, and even parents were just so appreciative of our input and really liked our feedback,” said Greenberg.

Out of the eight different advisory councils, students were given the opportunity to choose which one they wanted to be a part of.

“I was a part of Assessment. I loved coming to the Project Parkway meetings,” said Henderson. “How often is it that students get asked for their input from the top level [of] management. The part that really made the experience more real for me is seeing what we discussed being reflected in the classroom.”

Students appreciated the value that Parkway leaders placed on student involvement.

“My favorite part was really feeling like my ideas were being heard,” said Greenberg.

“Seeing students from around the Parkway District come together in such a way is definitely inspiring,” said Parkway West senior Jeffrey Piccirillo.

With the additional help of students, Project Parkway meetings were productive in getting an input of opinions from the Parkway community as a whole, making this year a collaborative one.

“I think the most significant improvement that has come from Project Parkway is our strong commitment to ‘all.’  We can no longer be satisfied with working for success for our top students, for our students who struggle the most, our students with special needs.  Now, all students’ success is our goal,” said Feldman.

“It makes me very proud to leave the Parkway School District knowing they are committed to the new mission and the excellence that they have always strived for,” said Henderson.

Written by Isabella Cova