Minster Schools Highlight Student Leadership, Counseling and Experiential Learning During WCSM Visit

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WCSM continued its “Back to School” week at Minster Local Schools Tuesday, highlighting several programs that support student leadership, personal development and learning outside the classroom.

Host Kevin Sandler spoke with Jeanna Heitkamp and students about Minster’s gifted program before welcoming fifth-grade teacher Seth Stammen and members of the Elementary Student Council.

Stammen said council representatives are elected by their classmates in fourth grade and serve through sixth grade. The group provides student input, supports fundraisers and helps identify improvements for the elementary school.

Sixth-graders Landon Schmezing, Alexandra Mendez and Andrew Sullivan discussed their responsibilities on the council. Those duties include speaking to community groups, managing purchases such as recess equipment and helping organize school projects.

Leah Ketner discussed Character Strong and Minster’s elementary counseling program. She said the district uses Character Strong to teach social and emotional skills such as respect, empathy, gratitude, honesty and courage to students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

The program works alongside the district’s Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports efforts to establish clear expectations and help students develop skills they can use throughout their lives.

Mike Wiss also discussed Minster’s annual eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. Wiss, who is beginning his 33rd year teaching in the district, said the upcoming trip will be his 31st with Minster students.

The trip allows students to visit historic sites connected to material covered in their history classes. Stops include Washington landmarks, government buildings, the National Archives and Gettysburg.

Christy Homan and students Audrey Meyer and Ansley Wolf closed the program with a discussion about Minster’s mental health class and Positive Peer Advocates club.

Homan said the student organization grew out of a suicide-prevention group established in 2017. It now focuses more broadly on providing help, hope and support while encouraging positive connections among students.

The district also offers an elective mental health course covering emotional regulation, relationships, resilience and ways students can support themselves and others.

WCSM’s “Back to School” broadcasts from Minster continue through Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.