If you thought that Ms. Hess was going to teach ELA Resources again this year for eighth graders, you’re wrong. There is a new class that every eighth grader from now on has to take. This new class taught is called Lead 4 Change. Lead 4 Change teaches students how to learn, engage, act and deliver. In fact, after you take this class, if you pass, you get three industrial-recognized credentials. Those credentials take the place of end of course exams for any student who may not pass. The main goal for students in this class is to pick a class project that will benefit everyone in the school. Some examples of the projects are mental health campaigns, working on school culture, and working on students’ physical health. However, before we picked the project, we had to talk to people about issues that they see inside or outside of school. One of Ms. Hess’ classes picked to talk to the Mayor, Steve Mientkiewcz. So, he came in during the students’ class time and they had to ask him three main questions about problems or needs that he noticed and ways that their class can help. A few questions that the students were asking were how they can improve Steven’s Park and what they can do to get better sidewalks in Niles. The sidewalks are very uneven and need to be repaved because they are very bumpy and dangerous for the people walking or riding their bikes. Sadly, the Mayor said that he could not improve them because they are in front of peoples houses and a part of their property. However, there is good news! The Mayor said that soon they will be adding in a track somewhere around Steven’s Park. Mr. Mientkiewcz’s plan is to make it a track that holds meets! Hopefully the plan is successful! It was great to have him come to our school to speak to the Lead 4 Change class. We hope this class inspires some change at NMS and the city!