Oak Knoll develops tomorrow’s leaders. We motivate our students to answer the "call to service. "We encourage them to "step forward. "Leadership positions require time and energy, but the rewards are many.
Leadership Training: Training is vital and essential to the development of strong, capable and responsible leaders. The school provides leadership training for all elected representatives, peer leaders, publication editors, and activity presidents in May of each year. Within each activity, students receive follow-up training in September. Students meet in June and September to set goals for the school year. The Guidance Department and the Deans conduct the leadership training. Outside trainers may join student leaders from the previous term to assist in the training.
Senior Leadership: Underclasswomen look to the seniors at Oak Knoll for their leadership and capacity as role models. Each year in their guidance classes and outside meetings, the junior class learns more about this role as rising seniors. Much discussion about their responsibility as role models, their "call to service" as leaders, and the opportunities available for their development as leaders occurs. The school strongly encourages all juniors to answer this "call to service" and take responsibility for the leadership of an Oak Knoll student activity or run for an elected position. All students in the Senior Class serve as leaders. The desire for leadership is quite impressive.
Student Council
Providing opportunities for student leadership is a vital component in fostering the development of young women as responsible, caring adults. Students in all grades have an opportunity for leadership within the homerooms in the committees formed to work on Spirit Week, class fundraisers, class liturgies, class meetings and various grade level activities. The Student Council of Oak Knoll facilitates and initiates many student-run activities. Within the framework of six council groups, 94 students serve at varying levels of leadership. Grade representatives belong to each council: Academic, Athletic, Campus Ministry, Creative Arts, Social and Core Council. The core council includes the class presidents, vice-presidents, council presidents of each of the five councils, as well as the student council president, secretary, peer leader coordinators and the publicity chairperson.
Each of the five councils functions with a moderator and president (student leader). Two representatives from each grade serve on the Athletic, Campus Ministry, Creative Arts, and Social Councils. The vice-president of each grade serves on the Academic Council. In addition, the group of presidents for each performance activity complements the Creative Arts Council.
The Academic Council: Serves to address student concerns regarding academics, provides for student tutors and disseminates information on summer opportunities.
The Athletic Council: Serves as student support for the athletic program at Oak Knoll. Vital functions of this council include serving as a student vehicle for athletic input and communicating upcoming events to the student body at large. Athletic reps also sell tickets at basketball games.
The Campus Ministry Council: Serves to coordinate the Campus Ministry program with members of the Campus Ministry Team and to represent and organize students for all activities. Campus Ministry representatives take turns selling bagels on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings to raise funds for PIN (People in Need). Other responsibilities include announcing and supporting all activities to the student body.
The Creative Arts Council: Serves to support and provide communication for all "Creative Arts" groups and performances. Serving dessert at Dinner Theatre or organizing ticket distribution for Concert Choir performances are just two of their commitments.
The Social Council: Serves to provide social activities at Oak Knoll. The Junior-Senior Prom, the Annual Semi-Formal for grades 9 to 12 and the school dances are just some of its programs.
Serving in any leadership capacity is an honor that represents a serious commitment on the part of the person elected. Students attend weekly meetings both at the class level and the council level. Each class and council plans many activities. Students must attend and participate in these meetings and activities. Serving in any leadership position requires time and energy, but the rewards are many!