At Morrisville Intermediate School, leadership starts early, as early as third grade. Each year, students from grades three through five step up to represent their classmates as members of the Morrisville Intermediate Student Government.
For the past decade, music teacher Julie Habel has served as the advisor of this organization. Under her guidance, student representatives have launched dozens of initiatives to help both their school and the wider Morrisville community. From collecting food and toiletries for those in need to honoring staff members and encouraging a love of reading, these young leaders are learning that leadership is about much more than titles; it’s about making a difference.
“Our student government members are all representatives from third, fourth, and fifth grade from the Intermediate School,” explained Habel. “We do activities for the entire school, kindergarten through fifth, and we also include students from Grandview Elementary in our fundraisers and other activities.”
Each of eight classrooms at the Intermediate School elects two representatives, for a total of 16 members. According to Habel, students, especially in the upper grades, take their elections seriously. “They may be asked to make a speech about why they want to be a representative,” she said. “I tell students that it’s not a popularity contest. You want to choose the best candidate to represent your class and the needs of the school.”
Once elected, the student representatives meet monthly to discuss new projects, review progress on ongoing initiatives, and share ideas from their classmates.
One of the longest-running and most favorite projects is the “Pull the Tab for the House” fundraiser, which benefits Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
The fundraiser holds personal meaning for Habel. “I had a friend whose fifth grader was diagnosed with brain cancer,” she shared. “They spent a lot of time at CHOP and used the Ronald McDonald House. When I tell the kids that story, I ask them to imagine being down there without their mom or dad. It really connects with them.”
The beauty of the project, Habel says, is its simplicity. “It doesn’t cost them anything to do,” she said. “They just pull the tab from a soda can or a soup can and bring it in. It’s something everybody can contribute to because it’s not a monetary thing. We are not a more affluent school district, so this gives every child the opportunity to give back.”
Habel collects the jugs of tabs, sometimes over a dozen of them at a time, and takes them to a local scrap metal facility that donates the proceeds directly to the hospital. “Last year, we collected about 120,000 tabs,” she said proudly. “It might be nominal, but it still makes the kids feel like they’re contributing.”
What began as Habel’s personal initiative has now become a schoolwide tradition, embraced by students, families, and even community members who drop off tabs at the front office. “It’s something I’ve done every year since becoming advisor,” she said. “And even though I started it, the students have made sure it continues.”
In addition to the tab collection, Morrisville’s student government spearheads several other service projects throughout the year. Each fall, they organize a food drive for the Morrisville Presbyterian Food Pantry and Ivin’s House. “We often collect about 750 pounds of food,” said Habel. “It’s almost like a friendly competition between classes to see who can bring in the most canned goods. I drop off these non-perishables in December to feed those in need during the Christmas holiday. ”
When the holidays pass, the group shifts gears to meet another critical need; warmth. In January and February, the students launch their annual warm weather sock and toiletry drive, providing much-needed items to local shelters.
“Socks and underwear are two of the most needed items at shelters,” Habel noted. “Last year, we collected about 500 pairs of socks. The PTO made a generous donation, but much of it came from the kids themselves.” She delivers the donations personally to shelters in Bristol Township and Levittown.
To help students see the impact of their efforts, Habel often takes photos of the donations being delivered and shares letters of thanks that the school receives. “When those letters come in saying, ‘Your food drive was the biggest of the year,’ or veterans write thanking them for Valentine’s Day cards, the students realize they’ve made a real difference,” she said. “It inspires them to do more.”
Habel emphasizes that the student government is a student-driven organization. “I encourage them to bring their ideas to our meetings so it’s something they’re passionate about,” she said. “That way they have more invested in it. It’s not just, ‘Mrs. Habel says we need to do this.’”
Over the years, those student-driven ideas have blossomed into meaningful projects. When one student expressed a passion for helping animals, the group organized a food and toy drive for a local animal shelter. “Even if students couldn’t afford to purchase these items, they were encouraged to bring in paper towel tubes for cats to scratch or gerbils to run through. Others donated old towels, providing warmth and comfort to the animals,” said Habel. “It was something everyone could participate in.”
When the students wanted to honor a beloved teacher’s aide who had passed away, they raised funds over 18 months to create Mr. B’s Buddy Bench, a lasting tribute that encourages friendship and inclusion on the playground. “That was totally the kids’ idea,” said Habel. “They were adamant about doing whatever it took to make it happen. It’s been four years, and that bench still means so much.”
Following the pandemic, the students also helped create Little Libraries at both Grandview Elementary and the Intermediate School to encourage reading and sharing books. “The student government’s job is to maintain and restock them,” Habel said. “If they get low, the kids remind everyone to bring in more used books. It’s a continuous act of giving.”
Beyond the charitable efforts, Habel sees student government as a way to teach civic responsibility. “The purpose is to show these kids how government works,” she explained. “We’ve even gone on a walking field trip to Borough Hall, where they met the mayor, council members, and police officers.”
She uses those experiences to teach lessons about listening, problem-solving, and compromise. “They learn how to bring their classmates’ ideas to the table, discuss them respectfully, and figure out what’s best for everyone,” said Habel. “If they want new playground equipment, we talk about what’s realistic, such as purchasing one dish swing that only two students can use at once versus a Gaga pit that many students can simultaneously enjoy. They learn how to make decisions that benefit the most people.”
Habel hopes these lessons stick with her students long after they leave elementary school. “It’s not only about government,” she said. “It’s about giving back and paying it forward. No matter how small it is, every person can make a contribution, whether it’s pulling a tab off a soda can or bringing in an old towel for an animal shelter.”
From collecting soda tabs to crafting Valentine’s for veterans, the Morrisville Intermediate Student Government has become a destination of kindness in its school community. Through every project, Habel sees her students growing into thoughtful, compassionate citizens.
“It’s really cool to see their wheels turning,” she said. “They learn to listen, to think of others, and to see how small actions can make a big difference. When they see the impact, when they realize someone’s life is better because of what they did, that’s when they truly understand what leadership means.”
And for Habel, that’s the heart of it all. “I was involved in student government when I was in school,” she reflected. “I’m hoping I’m showing these kids how to be involved in things that make everybody a better person or make their community a better place. It doesn’t take a lot, just a caring heart, and the willingness to do something.”
