Students from Normandy Middle School and Normandy High School had the opportunity to express themselves and offer solutions to the challenges they face during the Normandy School District Youth Summit, held Saturday on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
The summit was a collaboration between the school district, St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby and the Beyond Housing 24:1 Initiative, which organizes mayors in the 24 municipalities that send students to Normandy schools.
Erby pushed for the youth to be heard by adults and community leaders. Chris Krehmeyer, president and CEO of Beyond Housing, and Normandy Superintendent Stanton E. Lawrence also were in attendance.
“No one can say it better than the students,” Lawrence said. “We are going to take their concerns and make sure they are part of the solutions.”
“We want to hear your voice. You deserve the best,” Krehmeyer said.
DeMarcus Daniels, a seventh-grade student at Normandy Middle School, appreciated the effort.
“Adults should listen to the youth,” Daniels said.
He had some suggestions for change.
“I want to see a change, from our uniforms to teachers treating students better,” Daniels said.
Alicia Leachman, a Normandy High School senior, said she wanted to see more school spirit, more focus on health and and more effective teacher communication with students.
She also said students should be consulted in evaluations of teachers.
“If the students came along to evaluate, some things could change also,” Leachman said.
Kaylah DeLoach, a seventh-grader at Normandy Middle School, said she learned a valuable lesson at the summit.
“If you want to make a better world, you should pay attention and not disobey,” DeLoach said.
Adriene Jefferson, a seventh-grade communication arts teacher at Normandy Middle School, gave extra credit to students who came out to the summit and stated their issues or concerns.
“It’s encouraging and will make them own and respect our community,” Jefferson said.
The event also included some interactive sessions meant to engage and challenge the students.
Local poet Rennell Parker helped students through a guided spoken word workshop.
Students explored the power of pro-social behavior through a communication skills activity planned in conjunction with Better Family Life. Inc. and Positive Alternatives for Youth.
Students participated in small group dialogues and discussed ideas for action-oriented change.
Then the day concluded with students presenting to the “listening panel” of Erby, Krehmeyer and Lawrence.
“We want you to hold us accountable, and there will be a follow-up,” Erby said.
“Our job with you is to make things accountable,” Krehmeyer said.
“We’re gonna reach out and ask everybody to move this forward,” Lawrence said. “Today was a wonderful day. This is just the beginning.”
