A student council usually includes three or four elected students from each classroom or grade. These students are called representatives.

Then, the school holds an election in which you and your classmates vote for candidates that have chosen to run for an office. Those with the most votes become members of the student council.

The representatives choose officers from their group. Officers usually are president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

The entire group meets every week or two with the adviser, Mischa Brainard, and talks about things that affect the school.

Student councils also:

Raise issues. If members of the student council notice that students are unhappy with something in the school, they might talk to the principal about ways to change it. This could be anything from lunch menus to special events.

Promote school spirit. In many middle schools, one of the main jobs of the student council is to promote school spirit. There are lots of ways to do this, unique ideas including:

• Dances;
• Carnivals;
• Games;
• Pep rallies;
• Assemblies.

Show leadership. Student council members have to be good leaders and role models. Some student councils have special leadership activities.