Empowering Student Voices: Pineville ISD Hosts Attendance Summit to Spark Change

On November 19, Pineville Independent School District (ISD) took a bold step to engage students in shaping the future of their school. In collaboration with Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) STOP-V program, Pineville hosted a dynamic Student Voice Summit. The event, facilitated by PRI’s Integrated Strategies Team, brought together student council members to explore innovative solutions for improving attendance and fostering a vibrant school culture.

The day began with a True Colors personality and communication assessment, a hands-on activity designed to help students discover their unique strengths and preferences. Through this interactive exercise, students identified their dominant personality traits, categorized into four colors representing key communication and leadership styles. These insights not only allowed participants to better understand themselves but also equipped them with tools to appreciate the diverse perspectives of their peers.

Armed with this newfound awareness, students collaborated in teams to reimagine what an “ideal school” could look like. They considered questions such as: How can we create spaces where every student feels welcome? What programs or activities might resonate with different personality types? The resulting designs reflected an inclusive vision for education, incorporating flexible learning spaces, creative outlets, and initiatives aimed at fostering connection and engagement across all personality types.

By recognizing and celebrating these differences, the activity encouraged students to think critically about how schools can adapt to meet the varied needs of their student body. The exercise also set the tone for the rest of the summit, emphasizing teamwork, empathy, and creative problem-solving as the keys to driving meaningful change.

Designing Solutions for Chronic Absenteeism
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to tackling chronic absenteeism. Students brainstormed attendance improvement initiatives and developed actionable plans for incentives that encourage regular attendance. Their creativity shone as they pitched ideas to an adult panel, which included Pineville ISD Superintendent Russell Thompson.

One team proposed an innovative “open campus lunch” for upperclassmen, allowing students to venture downtown once a month. Potential names like “Lunch for Lions,” “Roar & Relax,” and the pun-filled “Pawsitive Lunch” reflected their enthusiasm and school spirit.

Another team emphasized the importance of educational and postsecondary-related trips to inspire students and strengthen school culture. They suggested using suggestion boxes to align trip destinations with student interests and taking advantage of local and state parks to make these excursions affordable and impactful.

A Platform for Student-Led Change
After presenting their proposals, students received praise from the panel for their thoughtful ideas and passion for making a difference. Superintendent Thompson commended the students for their ingenuity and commitment to improving their school community. Events like the Student Voice Summit underscore the power of student-led initiatives in driving change. By giving students a platform to share their perspectives, Pineville ISD is not only addressing pressing issues like attendance but also empowering the next generation of leaders.

As Partners for Rural Impact continues its mission to support thriving schools and communities, the energy and creativity demonstrated at the Pineville Student Voice Summit are a testament to what’s possible when young people are given a voice.