Creston schools strive to improve student culture

As Creston school students are learning the traditional reading, writing and math subjects, school administration has begun an initiative for students to learn from each other to improve relationships and school culture among students.

Called the Very Important Panther, to build connections from high school student-athletes to younger students. They serve as rold models to provide guidance to younger students. It fosters a sense of community to encourage younger students to be more involved in the school build confine and reach full potential in and outside the classroom.

Creston Middle School Principal Lesa Downing said the idea was influenced by a similar student project done at Adel-De Soto-Minburn schools.

“And they do it well,” she said.

Downing said the goals for the program, as it develops and works through the school year, are to improve school attendance, improve student discipline and improve social and emotional skills among all involved. Downing said school staff can benefit from the project just as much as the students.

“We want interventions when the kids don’t understand,” she said. Downing said all school administration plans to meet every two weeks to review what has happened with students and school culture. The meetings will also have goals that are defined and plans to reach them.

“We’re going to hold each other accountable,” she said.

Downing is pleased the school staff is supportive of the idea.

“Over the years I’ve seen moments to have this kind of influence,” she said about her career and improving school and student culture.

Downing hopes the efforts will eventually improve student attendance at all extra-curricular activities. Downing explained how sporting events, are as much of a social event as they are a time to support other students representing Creston. At the same time, those events can give students an opportunity to improve student relationships in a public setting that will carry over in the classroom and outside of the school setting.

That concept was put to task as younger Creston students attended a recent Panther football game in Creston. Some high school student-athletes invited Creston students from kindergarten through eight grade to attend the game with them.

“We want the little ones to have role models,” Downing said. “This is not just about sitting in a classroom.”

But the classroom is still part of the vision.

The VIP program will be use in the classroom too. Downing said schedules have been made for participating high school students to be in younger Panther classrooms to help with academics, like reading, for example. Downing said the schedules are intentional as to not interfere with the high school students’ work and schedules.

“This has always been a passion,” she said.