When is Student Leadership Week?

Student Leadership Week is typically observed during the third week of April, though many schools choose a week that works best for their calendar. It is sponsored by NASC (National Association of Student Councils) and is a time to celebrate student leaders at every level of the school community.

What should a Student Leadership Week newsletter include?

A brief explanation of what student leadership looks like at your school, a spotlight on student leaders and the work they do, any special events or activities planned for the week, and a section for families with ideas on how to build leadership skills at home. The newsletter should celebrate leadership broadly, not just elected positions.

How do you frame student leadership for families who have students not in formal leadership roles?

Expand the definition of leadership in the newsletter. Leadership is not only being a class president. It includes being the student who helps a classmate who is confused, the student who speaks up when something is unfair, or the student who takes responsibility for their own learning. Frame it this way and the newsletter becomes relevant to every family.

Should the newsletter include information about how students can get involved in leadership programs?

Yes. Student Leadership Week is a natural recruitment moment for student council, peer mentoring, school ambassador programs, and any other student-led organizations at your school. Include a brief overview of each program with a contact or link for interested students and families.

How does Daystage help with student leadership week communication?

Daystage lets you build a student leadership newsletter that highlights your student leaders and schedule it to go out at the start of the week. If your student council is doing community service or events during the week, you can quickly send a reminder or recap without rebuilding the whole newsletter.

Student Leadership Week Newsletter Template

Student leadership is one of the most transferable things a school can develop in a child. The skills that make a good student council member - listening, representing others, managing conflict, following through - are the same skills that make a good colleague, partner, and citizen. Student Leadership Week is an opportunity to make that connection visible.

The Student Leadership Week newsletter template

Subject line: Student Leadership Week at [School Name]: meet the students leading the way

Opening: This week, [School Name] is celebrating Student Leadership Week, a time to recognize the students who step up to lead in classrooms, in hallways, in clubs, and in the community. Here is a look at what student leadership means at our school and who is doing it.

Leadership looks like more than an elected title

Before spotlighting your student council or formal student leaders, spend a paragraph expanding the definition of leadership for families. The student who volunteers to tutor a younger student. The student who organizes their table group when the teacher is working with another group. The student who gives honest feedback in a class discussion even when it is easier not to.

This framing does two things. It gives more students and families a reason to feel included in the celebration. And it tells families what to look for and encourage at home, rather than narrowly defining leadership as winning an election.

Student leader spotlights

Feature two to four student leaders with short, specific descriptions of what they do and why it matters. Include student council members, club presidents, peer mediators, and any other students in recognized leadership roles. Get parent permission before using full names.

Keep each spotlight to three sentences: who they are, what leadership role they hold or what leadership they have shown, and one specific example of their impact. "This year, [student name] led the student council's effort to add more vegetarian options to the lunch menu. She surveyed students, brought the results to the principal, and proposed three specific additions. Two of them are now on the menu."

Student leadership programs at your school

List every student leadership opportunity available at your school with a brief description of each. Not every family knows what is available, and Student Leadership Week is a good moment to surface programs that students may not have heard about.

For each program, include who it is for, how students join, and when the application or sign-up window opens. If applications for next year's student council or leadership programs open soon, say so here. Families who want to encourage their child to apply need the timeline.

How families can build leadership at home

Give families three specific things they can do to develop leadership qualities in their children:

Let your child lead a family decision: where to eat dinner, what movie to watch, how to organize a family errand. Explain that you are giving them the lead and see how they handle it.
Ask your child about a moment when they spoke up for something at school this week. Celebrate the attempt regardless of outcome.
When your child has a complaint about school, ask them: "What would you do about it if you were in charge?" Encourage them to follow through if the answer is feasible.

Closing with a note on the long game

End with a brief reminder of why this week matters beyond the week itself. "The students leading in this building today are practicing skills they will use for the rest of their lives. Every time we give a student a chance to lead, we give them a chance to grow into someone who knows they can."

That framing elevates the week from a celebration to a mission. Families who read it leave with a clearer sense of why student leadership deserves their attention and support.