the best pr in your school...
TRANSCRIPT
Student AmbassadorsTHE BEST PR IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
In the beginning…• How can our school district best tell our story to our community?
• What is the strength of hearing a district story from a student?
• How can we add opportunities for community service and community leadership-lead by students-peer to peer?
•Who best sells the story of a school district? Our most important customers….our students!
In the beginning• What do Student Ambassadors do?• Serve as student hosts/hostesses at school/community events
• Develop skills in communication and etiquette
• Develop interpersonal skills
• Work at Open House events
• Hall of Honor events/or other “Alumni” recognition ceremonies
• Sporting events/tournaments
• Local “Christmas in Action” project partner with Lion’s Club to help with elderly home care repairs
• Work on special project for the schools/community-based on local needs
What do Student Ambassadors do?• Local Rotary/Chamber events-students serve as representatives of
the school district
• WPAFB/Air Force Association (or special clubs specific to your community) participation and interaction
• Organize/LEAD community outreach-food drives for local pantries; outreach to senior center/nursing homes.
• Learn the value of leadership and community service while representing the school district in the community
• Organize yearly “Homecoming Parade” for schools
What do Student Ambassadors do?• Design community activities to address community need:• Students started the “Hoodies and Hats for Hawks” program to address the need
for elementary students to have warm outerwear and hats during the winter.
• When a student passed away in a neighboring school district, students hand-painted a banner and took it to an away basketball game to present to another school district in our conference.
• The local food pantry needed pies for Thanksgiving-students started a “Pie Drive” with a local pie vendor and for every pie purchased the business donated a pie to the cause!
• Student Ambassadors have helped with building clean-ups
What do Student Ambassadors do?• Visited the middle school to provide an opportunity for middle school
students to ask questions about moving to high school• Leadership opportunity and peer-to-peer interaction
• Held “Oscar” ceremony for 4th and 5th grade teachers
• Visited local Children’s hospital to give “Activity Bags” created by students for children who will be in the hospital during the holidays-work with hospital to coordinate!
• Currently working on “Five Minutes for Life” program to help students make good choices and avoid alcohol and drug abuse!
Where to start!
• A volunteer is needed to organize this effort! This individual must be passionate about the school system! This can be a teacher in your school district or an administrator at the district level.
• The organization, time and commitment will be key to success of program.
Where to start!• Decide which grade levels you want to participate! Our Student
Ambassador program currently focuses on middle school and high school.
• Send a letter to each household (snail mail) with an explanation of the program and an application. Give the process a two-week turnaround. Also post application on school website and message via social media.
• Utilize newspaper, website, TEC calls/snail mail to reach all families!
• With application, have a reference sheet for student to provide to a teacher, coach or advisor!
Now you are ready! Logistics?• Meetings are held bi-weekly at the schools. To start, you may want to
start with high school and middle school.
• Meetings are held in the school for example, middle school meets in the cafeteria-high school meets in the media center.
• Meetings are held 30 minutes prior to the start of the school day. Many of the Student Ambassadors will be involved in other activities which may compete for time.
• Bottom line-do what will work best in YOUR school/district.
Responsibilities of a Student Ambassador• Attend training and meetings regularly
• Demonstrate leadership and serve as role models for school
• Commit to 10 hours of community service to the group for the year
• Commit to monthly meetings (bi-weekly)
• Maintain a 2.5 gpa during time of service
• Commitment of service is from September-May of school year
• Adhere to the Mission/Values of school district (provide copy with letter)
Who Selects Student Ambassadors?•Depending on grade levels identify key
personnel!•School counselors •Teacher•District Administrator•Cafeteria worker/other building personnel
How is each Ambassador selected?• Each application should receive at least THREE reads and be scored
utilizing score sheet.
• Each application should be numbered with names removed.
• Advisor will tally scores and select Ambassadors for each building/grade level.
• Advisor will send acceptance letter to student/family.
Keys to selecting a diverse group!
• Application is open ended-students talk about why they want to represent their school.
• Three reads for each application and diversity in selection team will provide a well-rounded group at each schools.
• Select 6-8 students per grade level
Creating continuity!• Once selected, the student ambassadors should serve throughout
their school career! For example, students selected in 6th grade have the option to serve through their senior year in high school!
• Creates continuity and strong leadership for program!
• Some will resign for different reasons-which opens up opportunities for others to participate!
Application questions!
• Student essay: Please tell us why you want to be a Student Ambassador (250 words or less) and why will this experience help your future plans?
• Please provide two references (for high school and middle school) (one for elementary school)
Why an open-ended essay?• In many school district, there are students who
automatically stand out (class president, team captain etc.) Give all students the opportunity to tell you why they want to serve.
• Diversity will come out in application process
• Student Ambassadors should reflect the demographics and diversity of your school district
• Look beyond current leaders-you have untapped student leaders in every grade level and in every building
Advisor keys to success!• Communicate meeting dates/locations within the first few weeks of
school
• Prior to start of school, work with local community groups to organize volunteer opportunities
• Make calendar of events as soon as you have ready!
• Use meeting time as time to work on community service projects-provide contact information for community service
Advisor keys to success!• Communicate with local community service organizations
• Student leaders available for mentoring/tutoring
• Serve as volunteers at variety of events
• Ask community leaders to speak at meetings about leadership and community service
• Encourage community service organizations to reach out to youth for volunteer opportunities
Advisor keys to success!• Purchase t-shirts for your Student Ambassador group! School colors
with the “Student Ambassador” on the shirt
• Back can state #WESERVE
• Make the student organization stand out from the rest!
How to communicate?• Paper copies of calendars and upcoming events
• Social media-Facebook and Twitter for your organization
• Link on school district website
• Lots of photos with tags
How do you measure success?• Students interact in the community with:• Senior Citizens
• Families
• Peers
• Younger students
• Community leadership organizations
Student Ambassadors share their stories and talents in the community-and community members see students leading, volunteering, working and doing “good” in the community!
How do you measure success?• When students are out in the community volunteering and talking-
these experiences reflect positively on the school district.
• For residents who have not had children in school for many years-the students who help on “Christmas in Action” day to clean their yard or help repair their porch-they will not forget.
• Teaching the value of service to others is a lifelong skill that is every bit as important as lessons in the classroom-and will be remembered for much longer!
EVERY DAY IS LEVY DAY!• The positive experiences and interactions between students and
community members help residents understand the needs of the school district-and most importantly-that the students have a sense of community and want to give back.
• This experience can be extremely important when residents are asked to support the school district on the ballot!
FHS Student Ambassador Coffee Shop
Banner created for neighboring school district who lost student in car accident!
Trunk or Treat event this year at Fairborn Primary
Trunk or Treat at Fairborn Primary
Why does this matter?
Part of “Start Talking” Ohio
Giving back to neighboring school district
Giving back to neighboring school district
SA led card making project for local school district
Holiday project for Dayton Children’s
Holiday Project for Dayton Children’s
Service to community!
MaterialsExamples of information are included in your packets today!
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has
-Margaret Mead
yair0om City Sc/ioals306E.WhittierAvenue
Fairborn, Ohio 45324937.878.3961Fax: [email protected]
M'WWHC (^ t&6 2&<^W^
Superintendent: Mark North
Treasurer: Nicole Marshall
Student Services/Personnel: Gary Walker
Business Affairs/Personnel: Ed GibbonsCurriculum: Sue Brackenhoff
Public Relations/Grant Writer: Pam Gayheart
July 2017
Dear Parents:
The Fairborn City School District "Student Ambassador" program application is included inthis mailing. The program is available for students grades 4-12 selected in August to serve as
official representatives ofFairbom City Schools. The Fairbom Student Ambassadors will serve
as student hosts and hostesses at a variety of school and community events. Fairbom Student
Ambassadors will have the unique opportunity to develop and receive training in
communication, etiquette, marketing and interpersonal skills.
Student Ambassadors may be asked to volunteer for the following events:
*Host/Hostesses at Parent/Teacher conferences
* Open House events
*Hall of Honor
* Sporting events/toumaments
*Rotary/Chamber events
*Air Force Association/luncheons
* Other school functions as needed
*Meet/Greet students (student tour days)
Responsibilities ofSkyhawk Stadent Ambassadors:*Attend meetings regularly
*Demonstrate leadership and serve as role model
* Commit to 10 hours of service to the group for the year
* Commit to 3-4 meetings per month
*Maintain a 2.5 grade point average during service
commitment of service is from August 2017-May of 2018
*0nce selected, if student continues to meet responsibilities, the student is an Ambassador
throughout their school years in our district. Student Ambassadors meet at FHS, BMS and FIS.
The Skyhawk Student Ambassadors will adhere to the Mission and Values ofFairbom CitySchools. Students will be a positive representative ofFairbom City Schools at all events.
Please return completed application to: Mrs. Pam Gayheart, 306 E. Whittier Avenue,
Fairborn, OH 45324 by Friday, August 18,2017.
*Please note: Selection team will make contact with building administration to review applications.
Fairborn City Schools
Student Ambassador Application
2017-18
Name:
Address:
Home phone number:
Parent's work phone number:
Cell number:
Email:
Best way to correspond:
Grade level 2017-18 school year:
Student Essay: Please tell us why you want to be a Skyhawk Student Ambassador (250 words or less)
and how this experience will help you with future plans?
Fairborn City Schools
Student Ambassador Program
Fairborn Intermediate School
Name of Student Ambassador:
Parents/Guardians Names:
Address:
Email:
Telephone:
Cell:
Student Cell:
*What is the best way to contact you with important information?
*Please note-calendar is for upcoming school year and key dates. If a
meeting is missed (due to school closure or holiday) please follow the
dates on the calendar.
Fairborn Intermediate Student
Ambassador Meetings
2017
Tuesday, August 29th: 2:45-3:15
p.m. MPR
Tuesday, September 12th: 2:45-
3:15p.m.MPR
Tuesday, September 26th: 2:45-
3:15p.m.MPR
Tuesday, October 10th: 2:45-3:15
p.m. MPR
Tuesday, October 24th: 2:45-3:15
p.m. MPR
Tuesday, November 7th: 2:45-3:45
p.m. MPR
Tuesday, December 5th: 2:45-3:45
p.m. MPR
Tuesday, December 19th: 2:45-3:45
p.m.MPR
Baker Middle School StudentAmbassador Meetings
2017
Wednesday, August 30th: 7:00 a.m.
B MS cafe
Wednesday, September 13th: 7:00
a.m, BMS cafe
Wednesday, September 27th:
7:00 a.m. BMS cafe
Wednesday, October 11th: 7:00
a.m. BMS cafe
Wednesday, October 25th: 7:00
a.m. BMS cafe
Wednesday, November 8th: 7:00
a.m. BMS cafe
Wednesday, December 6th: 7:00
a.m. BMS cafe
Wednesday, December 20th: 7:00
a.m. BMS cafe
Fairborn High School StudentAmbassador Meetings
2017
Tuesday, August 29th: 6:45 a.m.
FHS Media Center
Tuesday, September 12th: 6:45 a.m.
FHS Media Center
Tuesday, September 26th: 6:45 a.m.
FHS Media Center
Tuesday, October 10th: 6:45 a.m.
FHS Media Center
Tuesday, October 24th 6:45 a.m.
FHS Media Center
Tuesday, November 7th 6:45 a.m.
FHS Media Center
Tuesday, December 5th: 6:45 a.m.
FHS Media Center
Tuesday, December 19th: 6:45 a.m.
FHS Media Center
*Winter Dates will be provided in January!