Submitted photo Struthers Superintendent Pete Pirone has teamed up with high school principal Roger Day, assistant principal Mark Carden, and student representatives at Struthers High School to launch a new program called “What’s Up with the Wildcats?” The group had its first meeting Oct. 28. Front row, from left, are Ari Ana Foster, Riley Guy, Skylar Tusin and Melyka West. Back row, from left, are James Harrison, Delaney Painter, Amira West, Pirone, Leah Hall, Lydia Schuler, Natalee Caldwell and Myra Aponte.

STRUTHERS — Superintendent Pete Pirone has teamed up with high school principal Roger Day, assistant principal Mark Carden and student representatives at Struthers High School to launch a new program called “What’s Up with the Wildcats?”

The initiative aims at opening up lines of communication between students and the administration. Once a quarter, students will meet with Pirone, Day and Carden to discuss a wide range of topics from academic, to social / emotional and extracurriculars in an open dialogue over lunch.

Students enjoyed pizza as they kicked off the first “What’s Up with the Wildcats?” Oct. 28.

Day explained how the initiative came about.

“The administration has been discussing the importance of student leadership for the past couple of years. Superintendent Pirone is very innovative and was passionate that we start the group to provide our students with a voice,” Day said.

Pirone, Carden and Day collaborated with student council to select students from each grade to meet with district leaders. Day said the first meeting “was more of an open format to discuss the different things students felt could help improve the school experience.” There will be a set agenda for future gatherings.

Of the first meeting Carden said, “We wanted to hear what the students had to say and have an open discussion format for the kids to express whatever was on their minds. It was interesting to hear what matters to the students.”

Carden stressed that Struthers takes Positive Behaviors and Intervention Support (PBIS) very seriously. PBIS is a program that seeks to promote the use of evidence-based prevention and intervention practices that supports the academic, social, emotional and behavioral competence of all students. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce says Ohio school districts are responsible for creating a positive school environment where each student can thrive and reach their potential.

College and career planning, building and district incentives, school pride, how to improve communication, student attendance, mental health, stress management, financial aid resources and the school lunch menu were all part of the initial roundtable discussion. Having every grade represented ensured multiple perspectives.

Freshman representative Myra Aponte said the first meeting was productive.

“It was helpful to listen to others’ thoughts about different things,” she said.

She is hoping the meetings will result in making the students’ school year easier.

Also representing the freshman class was Leah Hall. She said she hasn’t been at Struthers school as long as the others, so she played the role of observer at the first meeting. She is looking forward to making positive changes and having an impact.

“I thought it was a good way to express opinions that could help make the school day less stressful and that other students could relate to,” said sophomore representative Natalee Caldwell.

She’d like to see the school become a place where all students look forward to attending.

Feeling like she was actually being heard was important to sophomore representative Delaney Painter.

“It was nice to be able to address our concerns with people who could actually do something about it. I appreciate the time being set aside to listen to the students because addressing problems at the root is the only way to fix them,” she said.

Hearing other students’ opinions on issues common to all impressed junior representative Lydia Schuler.

“I feel my perspectives were echoed by my peers. I want to help contribute to a climate that promotes openness, respect and care,” she said.

Senior representative Melyka West felt the overall tone of the meeting was welcoming. “It felt good to be heard. I feel that I was given the opportunity to express my ideas along with speaking for my peers as well. It was an exciting experience,” she said.

Pirone said he was pleased with the first meeting.

“The students offered valuable insights and remained actively engaged throughout the discussion. I look forward to our next meeting in January,” he said.