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Lyons Township High School group helps groom leaders
Emily Lange of La Grange and Jack McDermott of Western Springs study biology together. Peaceable Schools Iniative members hosted an afterschool study session Monday to help students study for finals this week. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 21, 2013 3:00PM
WESTERN SPRINGS — Dan Shannon found an organization he wants to join.
The Lyons Township High School sophomore became very interested in the Peaceable Schools Initiative when he showed up after school Monday for a study break session at the south campus.
Peaceable School Initiative is an organization that promotes students as leaders in the effort to create a positive school climate that welcomes and celebrates all students. The group’s activities are designed to develop an environment that supports positive personal interactions.
Monday’s session attracted about 70 students wanting to better prepare for Dec. 19-21 final exams. The group offered study help from teachers and other students along with free snacks.
“I came because I need some help getting ready for finals,” Shannon said. “It’s really relaxed studying here, and it’s great to be able to get one-on-one help. You can get questions answered here.”
Shannon said he had seen posters posted around school, but didn’t’ know anything about the group until Monday.
“It’s cool how they help people with this and other things they do,” he said.
Carol Promisel, one of the faculty sponsors, said initiative was started in 1999, following the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo.
“The group opens up lines of communication,” said Promisel, whose daughter, Christy, a senior, is president of the group. “PSI offers students a way to develop leadership skills and make a huge impact on the school. We make school feel smaller and more personal, and reach kids who maybe wouldn’t be interacting at all with other kids.”
Promisel said 15-20 students are in the core group but sometimes has as many as 30 students involved in projects or activities.
Bridget Kirby is a freshman who joined this year.
“This sounded interesting to me because of the leadership. I like being a leader for the school and helping others out,” she said.
Fellow freshman Keira Frese said she was happy she became part of Peaceable School Initiative.
“It’s easy to just go with the crowd, but being involved with this lets you meet so many different people,” she said. “It really does give you a chance to interact with other students you wouldn’t have.”
