VIEW GALLERY | SHS Student Summit Puts Student Experience in the Spotlight
The Salem Public Schools core value of belonging’ was in full effect Friday, Apr. 17, as the Hawthorne Hotel hosted the first-ever Salem High School Student Summit which drew 70-plus students who discussed a myriad of topics impacting their high school experience.
Founded by SHS alumnae Janay Newton ’25 and junior Yanalis Ventura, both were inspired to create the Summit following their visit to a similar event in Arizona. The inaugural Student Summit focused on student goals, leadership and agency, and was led and facilitated by students while educators listened and supported. The goals were as follows:
- For students to connect with peers, share school and classroom experiences, and provide feedback
- For educators to observe, listen, and record feedback from students
- For adults and students together to think deeply about the best ways to collaborate and codesign and understand why listening to students is essential and how to do it well.
- The process included many thought-provoking questions to evoke conversation, such as:
- What events, supports, activities or classes make you feel connected to school?
- Do the grades you receive reflect what you know, understand, and have learned in class?
- If you were in charge of your high school, what is the first thing you would change?
- How does your school help you decide what to do after graduation?
“Overall the idea was to learn about student experiences and collaborate with students to generate ideas for changes that will continue to improve our community,” said Ann Whitney, Social Studies Instructional Coach at SHS, and one of the facilitators of the Summit.
The event was led by student leaders who attended six training sessions to learn how to facilitate circles and use the ‘innovator’s compass’ protocol, a five-question framework to help individuals and teams get unstuck, navigate challenges, and design better ways to spur conversation.
Preparations are already underway to stage the 2027 Student Summit.
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