Center for Supportive Schools

Last week, 8 members of the Center for Supportive Schools team attended the National Community Schools & Family Engagement Conference, joining educators, community leaders, and advocates from across the country.

Two key takeaways that continue to resonate with us:
✨ Strong family engagement happens when schools create authentic partnerships with families—not just opportunities for participation.
✨ Student success is strengthened when schools leverage community voices, cultural assets, and shared leadership to build welcoming and inclusive environments.

We are inspired by the innovative work happening nationwide and excited to bring new ideas back to our school communities.

✨ FREE Classroom Check-In Resource ✨

For those who work in schools, June is a month when a concern with rigor is front and center in every way. It is also true, in June, that relaxation beckons from around the corner! So:

Briefly describe one kind of rigor that’s occupying your personal or professional life right now.

Then, if you’d like, share some way that you are looking forward to getting at least a little bit of relaxation this summer.

Are you looking for meaningful ways to connect students across grade levels and elevate student voice and leadership? You’re not alone. More and more school leaders are tapping into student leadership and innovation to strengthen relationships and create opportunities for students to drive real change.

How are you currently leveraging student experiences and student voice in your school community?

Our partners at Island Montessori School in Wilmington, North Carolina used to build stronger connections and empower students to lead across grade levels. In just one school year, student leaders used their voices to create a more connected, supportive, and engaged school community.

Are you ready to see what happens when students lead in your school?

Email us at [email protected] to schedule a call and learn how to bring WSL to your school community.

Check out this new article from EdWeek:

Lessons Learned About Effective Professional Development for Principals The best professional development for principals has a lot in common with the best PD for teachers.

🌟 Free Resource Friday: Closing the Year with Connection

As the school year comes to a close, students may remember many things—but what often stays with them longest is how they made others feel and how others made them feel. At CSS, we know that strong relationships are at the heart of student success. This week's Free Resource Friday focuses on helping students reflect on the connections they've built throughout the year.

Free Resource: Connection Reflections: Celebrating Our School Community

This adaptable activity invites students to recognize and appreciate the peers, educators, and staff members who made a positive impact on their school experience this year.

Students are encouraged to complete reflection cards or notes using prompts such as:

✨ A classmate who helped me feel welcome this year...
✨ An adult at school who encouraged me when I needed it...
✨ Someone who made me laugh, smile, or feel included...
✨ A person who helped me grow this year...
✨ One thing I appreciate about our classroom or school community...

The activity can be used across grade levels in classrooms, advisories, student leadership groups, morning meetings, or end-of-year celebrations.

Intentional reflection helps students:
✔ Strengthen their sense of belonging
✔ Recognize the value of positive relationships
✔ Practice gratitude and empathy
✔ End the school year on a positive and connected note

As educators, creating opportunities for students to acknowledge and celebrate one another reinforces the message that every member of the school community matters.

Here's to closing the year with gratitude, connection, and community.

Students are driving the change they want to see—and we’re creating spaces for their leadership to shine ✨

Join us tomorrow 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET for Elevating Student Voice: When Students Lead Workshop

Discover how student‑led initiatives are shaping stronger, more inclusive school communities and how we can create more opportunities for authentic student leadership.

Register here: https://forms.gle/KRz1xQTVunggdtwXA

Elevating student voice starts with giving students the tools to lead real change. Join us to explore how students are researching issues, analyzing data, and designing strategies to improve their school communities.

📅 May 28 | 1–2 PM EST | Zoom

Register here: https://forms.gle/KRz1xQTVunggdtwXA

Students are building the confidence and skills to lead real change in school communities. Join our workshop to see how they’re researching issues, analyzing data, and designing strategies that make an impact.

📅 Elevating Student Voice: When Students Lead

Thursday, May 28 | 1:00–2:00 PM EST| Zoom

Register here: https://forms.gle/KRz1xQTVunggdtwXA

Our Free Resource Friday for this week is the Encouragement Wall (Community in Action)

When Encouragement becomes part of the school culture, students feel empowered, community is created, and belonging is 2nd nature.

✨ Students and staff post encouraging messages to a bulleting board that can be seen by everyone.
✨ This is a visible reminder for students that there is an entire community behind them.
✨ This simple but powerful “wall” fosters community, belonging, and empowerment.

This is the heart of Peer Group Connection—students creating a culture where everyone feels supported.

When students lead the climate, belonging follows.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Across the Network, student leaders have made one thing clear: supporting mental health is essential to building thriving school communities. All year long, Peer Advocates have identified mental health as a top priority and designed powerful initiatives to uplift their peers and spark meaningful change.

This year’s student‑led projects included:
✨ The Power of a Pause – Hope Mills Middle School
✨Bullying Prevention & Mental Health – Spring Lake Middle School
✨Move for Mental Health - Exploris Middle School
✨Social Emotional Support & Positive Connections - Warsaw Elementary School
✨Building Meaningful Connections, and No One Eats Alone - West Columbus School
✨Secret Pen Pals, Penny Wars, and Family Game Night - Island Montessori
✨Mental Health Tabling, Connections with All Arts, and Career Horizons - Renaissance High School
✨Mental Health Walk - Woods Charter School

These young leaders are proving that when students lead, schools become stronger, more connected, and more compassionate. 💚

Let’s continue to champion their voices and the importance of mental well‑being—this month and every month.