In the more than 50 years since Woodhull Intermediate School opened in January 1967 many traditions have been established and are still observed today. A brand new tradition focused on town hall meetings is taking root this year.
“This school year our fourth, fifth and sixth grade students attended their first town hall meetings,” said Lara Gonzalez, Woodhull’s first year principal. “The message of our first meeting was that student voice matters.
Inspired by the children’s book, “Say Something” by Peter H. Reynolds, students were encouraged by Dr. Gonzalez, and dean of students Julian Watts, to develop their leadership skills, be kind and compassionate to each other and to let their voices be heard.
“During the grade level town hall meetings, our student council members were introduced and students were recognized for their outstanding contributions to our school,” Dr. Gonzalez said. Another town hall meeting is set for Tuesday, January 21.
Following each academic marking period, Woodhull students are honored with a certificate of achievement for their “empathy/kindness toward others” and for their “best effort” and “leadership.”
The first round of award recipients included:
Fourth grade: Empathy/Kindness: Karen Lopez Del Cid, Tulsi Singh, Anthony Zelaya Anariba; Best Effort: Izabelle Colato, Samuel Osias; Leadership: Shea Gilroy, Valerie Alfaro
Fifth grade: Empathy/Kindness: Fiona Lynch, Alec Cadet, Christian Correal, Isbella Rodriquez; Best Effort: Jose Chablon Leon, Anthony Cisneros, Vanessa Hernandez; Leadership: Ava McDonald, Katherine Gordon, Colby Curran
Sixth grade: Empathy/Kindness: Jessica Lee, Joanna Villalta, Janellah Afridi; Best Effort: Aniya Guerrero, Hernan Jimenez, Katie Sorto; Leadership: Alexandra Balm, Rudis Villatoro, Heileen Torres