Leadership at Starr and Dodge Elementaries is not just talked about, it is something students do.
On a Monday morning, a group of Dodge students marched the school grounds and Pier Park to pick up trash. They also stocked the school’s Little Free Library on the playground with children’s books for others to read. Doing this was not a chore for these Dodge Dragons – it was a privilege. These students, who were on the Dodge Character Council, modeled what it meant to be good stewards and leaders in their community.
“Character Council is important because it helps kids grow into kind, responsible leaders,” said Valerie Chmelka, Library Media Specialist and Character Council sponsor at Dodge. “It teaches kids their actions matter.”
Character Council is a group of third through fifth grade students who are dedicated to demonstrating the school's core values and serving others.
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At Dodge, students are chosen by staff and rotate out each trimester to give more students an opportunity to participate. Starr Elementary students apply for the opportunity, answering questions about how they show the Stallion Expectations. Teachers also provide their input before the final group is selected.
Character Council, which is implemented at many GIPS schools, provides students opportunities to serve, lead and grow. Activities each group at Starr and Dodge did include conducting school snack sales, picking up trash, visiting nursing home residents, making dog treats for the local animal shelter, organizing a food drive for their school and more.
Starr fourth grader Gabriel Alvarez said being a leader at Starr is meaningful. As a member of the Character Council, Gabriel shared he has learned new skills, one being how to count money while working the snack sale booth. He also enjoys the service projects the group participates in.
“One time we sang and made posters for the veterans at nursing homes,” Gabriel said.
Dodge fifth grader Genesis Ortiz said Character Council has reinforced the life skills that everyone should have.
“It has taught me how to be respectful, kind, safe, and responsible,” Ortiz shared. “I feel like everyone should do that so they can be an example for others,” she said.
Starr fifth grader Shekhinah Escalera sees leadership as something that goes beyond herself and echoed Ortiz.
“It means to be a good example to others and follow Starr Expectations,” she said. Through Character Council, she has learned “how to be more helpful, respectful, and responsible,” lessons she hopes to carry with her long after elementary school.
School Social Worker Nichole Nesvara, who helps lead the group at Starr, said the group's goal is to focus on growth and service.
“We want each student to grow in their leadership and character qualities from start to finish, as well as to serve our school and community,” Nesvara said.
The impact of these projects goes far beyond the school walls. Students learn responsibility, empathy and the importance of giving back. These skills shape them as leaders now and in the future.
Hector Perez Prado, fifth grader at Dodge, said Character Council boosts his school and community pride.
“Doing all this work and being part of the Character Council makes me a true Dodge Dragon,” Prado continued, “It promotes kindness and helping people out. And we should always do that, because it's teaching us early, so we should continue doing it when we're older.”
