On October 28th, Pro Justice Union (PJU) hosted their first student summit of the 2025-2026 school year. During these summits, students come up with solutions to commonly brought up issues.
The topics discussed at this summit were: student safety, addressing vaping from a health perspective, representing students’ learning accurately in their grades, and making sure different cultures and ethnicities are represented in school activities and learning. Each group had two or three facilitators who guided the conversations and took notes.
In past summits, ideas have been shared, discussed, and implemented. Things like the Peer Support Group, and the student-led Wellness Workshops came directly from the student summit. “The summit gives students who wouldn’t normally speak up the chance to share their ideas.” Says PJU president Solyanna Tedros. “There’s real opportunity.”
“The goal for this year is to build on what we already have. It’s a lot more realistic to add something already established.” Says Ms. Slack, dean of students.
PJU hopes to become more visible in the school community this year and make real, tangible changes, doing more than just talking about issues.
 “Schools aren’t always great about meeting student needs. Oftentimes adults just assume things based on their high school experience, but that isn’t accurate to what today’s students need.” Says Ms. Slack. The student summits provide staff with feedback from students which allows students to influence their school life and experiences.
PJU hosts two student summits a year. One in first trimester, the other in third trimester. PJU tries to have a balance of students that have been to a summit before, and invite new students that can provide new perspectives.
