PUSD Student advocacy groups, Think Tank and Student Assembly, continue valuable work alongside school district and board members
By: Natalie Kreakopyan & Andrew Sweet
The Student Think Tank is a PUSD student-led initiative that focuses on creating a space for students to represent their school communities.
Voicing their thoughts and opinions at school board meetings, students work hand in hand with the district and address PUSD policies.
Director Sehba Sarwar explained that as a PUSD parent, she felt that her daughter and her classmates had little contact with other campuses.
Taking up the idea of fostering student-board connections with then PUSD superintendent Brian McDonald, the initiative was approved by CAO Helen Chan Hill in 2019. The centre has entered its sixth year and gone through several cohorts.
“The Think Tank has created a system that ensures that all six high schools have the opportunity to be represented,” Sarwar commented, including CIS Academy and Rose City.
Besides negotiating policy, the Think Tank looks to embrace diversity and empower future leaders. Underrepresented students speak their minds at a district level, connecting with other students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
The Think Tank hosts a yearly conference with PUSD clubs and programs engaging in prompted debates and discussions. Board members attended last year.
Third-year Think Tank member and prospective student assembly representative Katherine Bleeker said she joined the Think Tank after a friend recommended it to her.
“I made so many friends from around the district, and I love helping my community in any way I can,” Bleeker said.
Along with the Think Tank, Sarwar created the Student Assembly, a branch of the Think Tank in which youth across the high school grade levels represent their peers at the monthly district board meetings. Elected junior students circulate between schools to sit at the district office table.
Both student organizations work hand in hand to discuss models for problem-solving techniques.
“When we do our internship and our online sessions, students work together – there’s no hierarchy and everyone participates in whatever area interests them,” Sarwar said.