Annual Report 2005-06 | Page 66

respect to the District’s annual spending priorities, the legislative process, and local community change efforts. In addition, student government representatives visited the DC Council Offices at the Wilson Building. They met with Mr. Ira Stohlman who did a presentation on what the Council represents and its obligations to the city and its citizens. They also learned about the structure of the local government. Public Speaking Training: Fifteen student government representatives from the day and night classes received a full day of training on public speaking. During the training students examined factors for success in making public presentations, gaining confidence, speaking in front of others, and practicing speaking in a variety forms. SGA members attend Public Speaking training. Community-Building Playground: During the fall semester student representatives helped to build CentroNia’s new playground here at the Carlos Rosario School. Students helped assemble playground equipment, move mulch, paint, and much more. Promoting Personal Safety: The SGA also worked for the second year in a row with police officers from the local Latino Liaison Unit to discuss personal safety and request additional police presence around the school during the evenings. Student representatives then promoted personal safety through handmade posters, an information table, and police-facilitated workshops for the whole student body. Leadership and Civic Engagement: During the spring semester the student government had the opportunity to learn about the importance of leadership and civic engagement. Daytime student government representatives participated in the NCLR National Issues and Advocacy Day. Students learned about the Dream Act, Predatory Lending, Financial Counseling, Immigration Reform, Youth Violence and Voting Rights Act. They visited representatives in Congress the next day as a part of NCLR Advocacy Day. The evening representatives participated in the Washington Mayoral Candidate’s Forum at Carlos Rosario School. During this event they learned about the candidate’s views on Latino issues, language access, youth violence, and affordable housing. Bargain hunters enjoy the yard sale. Community Yard Sale: The school year ended with an extremely successful community Yard Sale. Daytime and evening student government representatives worked together to plan, promote, and collect items from their classmates and teachers. They then promoted the event in the school and within the local community and invited all students, teachers and staff to participate. The sale of hotdogs, sodas, and donated baked goods raised additional money. All the money raised was donated to support the scholarship program at the Carlos Rosario School. Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, Annual Report SY 2005-2006, Appendix D