Warriors 4 Change: Central Falls High School Participatory Budgeting

Budget: $6,000

Learn, write and record songs with a school band! Our project will fund new music equipment and recording software for the recording studio at CFHS. This project would fund a brand new guitar and bass with amplifiers and a computer along with recording software for students who are interested in writing and releasing their own music. The problem we are trying to address is a lack of musical instruments and equipment for CFHS students in music classes. We know it’s a problem because students might want to learn an instrument, but don’t have the means to do so. Our proposed solution is to buy more equipment and instruments for the music room. Specifically, we are interested in purchasing electric guitars for the music class. The people who would benefit are the students who take music classes, especially if they want to learn an instrument. We think this is a good idea because it might give students more drive to show up to school everyday. These students will be able to do better on their grades to be successful. Students who are attending class will improve the number of students who are consecutively absent causing them to be dropped from school rolls. This is how connections to school Goals for the objective. Total Cost: $6,000

Budget: $8,000

When was the last time you went on a trip? This project will fund a field trip to Six Flags for students who earn first honors. A lot of people have not been on a field trip in a very long time, and this will give students an opportunity to celebrate their academic success and socialize with their fellow students. The problem we are trying to address is to get students more engaged by going on field trips. We know it’s a problem because almost half of students said that they have not been on a field trip. Our proposed solution is to develop more field trips for CFHS students. The people who would benefit are students in Central Falls high school, especially those in Special Education classes. We think this is a good idea because students should get the opportunity to go on field trips and socialize with each other including students with disabilities. Data shows that students that participate in extracurricular activities have increased academic achievement this goes along with the strategic objective number one objective number two refers to improving the number of students who attend school it is safe to assume that if the school had more field trips, students would be more motivated to go to school thus reducing the number of students who are absent, parents would be more engaged in their kids education if their kids go on more field trips. Total Cost: $8,000

Budget: $9,800

Our project will fund four new water fountains with filtered water. These water fountains will be placed in high-traffic areas, like the cafeteria and near the library, so that students can have access to clean drinking water. This project will also purchase water bottles for students, which will be given to them in the first few weeks of school to be used with the new filtered fountains. The problem we are trying to address is that there are very few places with drinking water available in CFHS. We know it’s a problem because we only have two water fountains with filters, and Central Falls has a problem with clean and healthy drinking water. Our proposed solution is to install four new bubblers throughout the school in areas that will benefit the most students. As part of our solution, we want to install a water fountain in the cafeteria, outside of the cafeteria, near the library on the second floor, and by the main office. The people who would benefit are all students who attend CFHS and need a drink that is not juice or milk from the cafeteria or cafe. Total Cost: $9,800

Budget: $3,000

Help make classes more engaging and fun with new technology for the school, including VR headsets for history classes, tablets for art, and a digital bulletin board to keep the school updated about what is happening. The problem we are trying to address is the lack of technology. We know it’s a problem because in the new generation we’re advancing to technology everyone, so getting these tablets and TV bulletin board would be beneficial for our school.; Our proposed solution is to buy tablets for the 2D art class so that the students can get a new and advanced experience of drawing and so that art supplies don’t get wasted. The TV bulletin board would be used as a message board so that the students and staff can see what types of events the school has done and achieved. The VR headsets would allow history teachers to explore the world using VR technology. Budget: $5,600

Budget: $3,000

Our project is to purchase storage racks for bikes, skateboards, and scooters. We have noticed that many students tend to leave their mode of transportation with certain teachers and having these racks would provide a better space to keep students’ property safe. If someone is running late, they can get on their mode of transportation and hurry to school without worrying about where to store their bike/scooter/skateboard. This project would provide funding for two bike racks, two scooter racks, and a skateboard storage tower. The problem we are trying to address is the lack of spaces our school has for students to put the bikes, scooters and/or skateboards, and also the high rate of tardies. We know it’s a problem because several students leave their scooters in Room 105 or skateboards with trusted teachers. Additionally, people who ride their bikes to school do not always have a place to put them. Our proposed solution is to provide designated spaces where students can keep their travel devices. The people who would benefit from this are the students who ride bikes, scooters, or skateboards to school. If there was a designated spot where to put bikes, on days where students are running late, it would be beneficial to ride a bike to school instead of taking almost 15 minutes to get here when they could have gotten here before the bell rings. This project would pay for bike racks, skateboard racks, and scooter racks, as well as locks to loan or give away to students in need. Total Cost: $6,900

Budget: $10,000

A Bike Club for students who want to enjoy bike riding with others and make new friends as well. We will take them to the Blackstone River Bikeway where they will be able to ride with other students for about an hour and a half after school. This project will also help purchase bikes for those students to use. We will also have a repair station that would benefit all students. Funding this project will create a bike club and buy bike racks, repair kits, bikes to borrow, and have a chaperone to take students in the bike club cycling in the Fall and in the Spring. The people who would benefit are people who already ride bikes, wanting to ride bikes, and even people who are running late and need to get to school faster. We think this is a good idea because this would improve our students’ health, and maybe improve tardiness/attendance. Our Bike Club would help others make friends with other bike, scooter or skateboard riders because they’ll be able to connect with something that they both like. This connects to Strategic Objective 3, Increase the number of stakeholders who demonstratively engage in their child’s/their own education, because more students would be involved in their education. Interest would grow on both sides. An increase of interest in education would lead towards higher graduation rates. Total Cost: $10,000

Budget: $10,000

Our project will fund a monthly Saturday program for students and their families. Students and parents will be given the opportunity to learn about mental health, as well as use the school gym as a recreation center. Our project will also pay for food and games for these events. Poor mental health can impact many areas of a person’s life leading to low grades or poor decisions. Poor mental health in a young person could lead to drug use or violence. The problem we are trying to address is how to help kids with their mental health . We know it’s a problem because if you have issues with mental health, motivation goes down and they may start to sleep through class and never want to talk about how they are feeling because they don't know who to trust. Our proposed solution is to offer a monthly Saturday program for students and parents in need. These events would happen once a month for the entire school year and offer the following: Restorative instruction for students (1 hour, while parents are in education) Also mental health education Educational opportunities for parents (1 hour, while students are in restorative) Educate parents about mental health Childcare for younger siblings (while siblings and parents are in their meetings) CFHS students can volunteer to earn community service hours Potential for small informational activities Games and lunch for families (2 hours) The people who would benefit are CFHS students and families who want a safe place to spend their Saturday. The research shows that if you have bad mental health, you’re most likely to have bad grades. We are trying to improve students' grades by helping them be in a better environment and creating opportunities for them to make friends. Budget: $10,000

Budget: $2,000

This project will fund a field trip to Daggett Farm in Pawtucket for students who have special needs. Students with disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs, do not often get to go on field trips to places that are fun and accessible to them. As part of this project, students will get to visit a petting zoo, learn about animals, and have an opportunity to socialize with their fellow students. The problem we are trying to address is to get students more engaged by going on field trips. We know it’s a problem because almost half of students said that they have not been on a field trip. Our proposed solution is to develop more field trips for CFHS students. The people who would benefit are students in Central Falls high school, especially those in Special Education classes. We think this is a good idea because students should get the opportunity to go on field trips and socialize with each other including students with disabilities. Data shows that students that participate in extracurricular activities have increased academic achievement this goes along with the strategic objective number one objective number two refers to improving the number of students who attend school it is safe to assume that if the school had more field trips, students would be more motivated to go to school thus reducing the number of students who are absent, parents would be more engaged in their kids education if their kids go on more field trips. Total Cost: $2,000

Budget: $3,000

Students in Central Falls HS will be able to attend an ice cream social for getting good grades & making good attendance. Students who receive first honors, show improvements to their grades, or have perfect attendance will be invited to join the event in the cafeteria at the end of every quarter. The problem we are trying to address is lack of motivation for students to come to school and get better grades. We know it’s a problem because the absence rate is high for the school and the amount of students who are failing is high. Our proposed solution is an ice cream party every quarter to try to boost students' moods and motivation to get them to try harder. The people who would benefit are honors students, students with good attendance, and students who show improvements in their grades. There are about 150 students who would be invited every quarter. Budget: $3,000

Budget: $7,000

As a school, we believe that it would be a good idea to open a school store because it will benefit the school and give students merchandise that they will fondly remember in the future. We also believe that if we have a school store, our school will have more money to buy things such as more school supplies for math, gym, science, etc., as well as investing the money into school events. As part of this project, we will also pay for supplies to get the school store started and to create an after school merchandise club. The problem we are trying to address is that they’re posters all around the school for school merch, but most students don't know where to go to buy merch, therefore we need a school store in the school so it is easier for kids to support our school. We know it’s a problem because school stores make a significant contribution to kids' education. Having kids working in your store will allow them to learn valuable skills like math, budgeting, accounting, sales, marketing, critical thinking, socializing, empathy, and so much more. Our proposed solution is to buy materials and create a physical store where kids and school staff can go in order to purchase school merch and accessories. We can also invest in a school store website for those who don't attend the school but still wish to support us.; The people who would benefit are the school, students, staff and even parents. Students, staff, and parents can buy merchandise in order to support and represent our school and even our sport teams while the school can use the extra money to fund school trips and other fun activities. Budget: $7,000