Walnut Creek Intermediate
Leadership Course Syllabus
2014-2015
Welcome to the WCI Leadership class! Our class is responsible for leading activities for the entire school, taking input
from the student body and making WCI a great place for students.
The purpose of the Leadership Class at WCI is to help all students experience meaningful participation in school by
planning fun and engaging student activities. Additionally, the class aims to strengthen leadership qualities in our
students and build and maintain school pride. This year our class will have an increased focus on community service and
students will explore ways to serve and lead in their school, as well as local and global communities. Students will study
four themes pertinent to leaders and plan activities to educate the greater school population and encourage more
students to become involved. Some projects will partner with the Teens Around the World elective and well as our
Computer Journalism course.
Families are encouraged to share ideas, visit as guest speakers or to help with donations, drives or other activities.
Themes
1. Philanthropy
a. Warm Clothing Drive
b. Local philanthropist guest speaker
2. Hunger and Poverty
a. Hunger Games Food Drive
b. Solar Cookers
c. WCI Cafeteria Activity
3. Value of Education
a. The More that You Read Book Drive
b. Read Across America – guest readers at WCSD elementary schools / Walnut Creek Library
4. Natural Resources
a. Drive - TBD
b. Friends of the Creeks Clean Up - Saturday May 9, 2015
Committees
Students will rotate through different committees to practice a variety of leadership skills.
Some examples of committee responsibilities include:
Appreciation and Recognition
 Choose Character Themes for Student of the Month certificates
 Develop new ways to appreciate and recognize students and staff
 Attend Climate Committee meetings
Publicity
 Design vibrant posters and other media to advertise upcoming events
 Announce goings on in the daily bulletin
 Collaborate with the journalism class to spread the news about Leadership activities and opportunities in the
community
 Document the work and activities planned by our class
Outreach
 Connect class members to community service opportunities in the Walnut Creek area
 Communicate with leaders at other schools to find out ways WCI students can get involved
 Welcome new students to WCI and introduce them to others
 Attend faculty or parent meetings to report out on student concerns and bring back teacher input to student
council
Activities
 Continue the fun traditions from past years at WCI
 Research new and fun activities for our students
 Plan and execute monthly, lunchtime spirit and buddy builder activities for all grade levels
Student Body Officers
8th grade only - President
7th or 8th grade – Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
Students will give a speech to their classmates and there will be an in-class election for our four officer positions.
Students who run for these positions must commit to attending the WCI Site Council meetings. These are held after
school from 3:15 – 4:30 on the following days:
October 13
December 8
February 9
May 11
Student Council meetings will take place monthly during SSR. Responsibility for the agendas, minutes and leading these
meetings will rotate throughout the year to give multiple students practice with these skills.
Student Expectations & Grades
“If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.”
-Dr. Seuss
Each of us has strengths and areas to grow and mature. We encourage students to try new activities they find difficult
or are out of their comfort zone.
In order to help each student stay challenged and involved, they will complete activities each quarter from the attached
Leadership Activity Board. The free choice option acknowledges that students are often already involved in activities
that overlap with the goals of our Leadership class and allows these hours to count towards their quarterly leadership
grade. It also allows students to invent new ways to lead in their school and community. Please see Mrs. Dubinsky
about the free choice option to obtain approval first. Students will submit a Learning Log for each activity. The quality
of their learning log responses will determine their grade.
Leadership students must model behavior and attitudes that are positive to the image and culture of WCI. Students who
are referred to the office for disrespectful behavior, attendance issues or other concerns will complete a reflection with
Mrs. Dubinsky and set goals to ameliorate the problem. The student’s family will help monitor progress.
-------------------------------------------------------Detach and return to Mrs. Dubinsky--------------------------------------------------------I have read the Leadership Course Syllabus with my student and understand the purpose of the class and how they will
earn their grade.
Student Name
Parent / Guardian Name
Parent / Guardian Signature
Email
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I am interested in volunteering my time / chaperoning / driving / being a guest speaker for the leadership class!