April 2025 – ETAC

Youth Engagement Conference Brings Community Schools Strategies to Life

Topics: Collaborative leadership, shared power and voice; Expanded, enriched learning opportunities; Powerful student and family engagement

On March 19, 2025, the Eastern NYS Community Schools Technical Assistance Center (CSTAC-Eastern) hosted a regional conference focused on youth engagement and student voice at Fordham University’s Westchester campus. The event reflected many essential components of a thriving community school, especially collaboration, inclusive decision-making, and a culture of belonging. The day opened with a keynote from Carl Anderson, who shared strategies for making student leadership part of daily school practice. He highlighted how shared power and voice strengthens not just students, but whole school communities.

A panel discussion followed, where leaders from Mount Vernon, Port Chester, Tarrytown, and Ossining shared lessons from their schools:

  • Mount Vernon High School described how they integrated work-based learning and student-led advisory programs into school planning, using inclusive decision-making and a shared vision to drive change. Family engagement and restorative practices were also highlighted as key practices for improving belonging and safety.
  • Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District emphasized the role of student connectedness in academic success. They shared how building trusting relationships and expanding family engagement helped foster a stronger culture of care.
  • Winfield L. Morse Elementary in Tarrytown focused on building authentic relationships with families and prioritizing open communication to support a collaborative leadership model.
  • Ossining Union Free School District discussed their commitment to actionable data and strategic partnerships. Their Adult Literacy Program shows how addressing family needs strengthens student engagement and success.

Breakout sessions gave participants concrete tools to:

  • Use ESSA data to combat chronic absenteeism using actionable data
  • Build community engagement into math instruction to provide expanded learning opportunities
  • Strengthen youth engagement planning through trusting relationships and shared leadership
  • Apply SEL benchmarks within a multi-tiered system of support

Throughout the day, a few key ideas stood out:

  • Collaboration and shared leadership matter. Building strong student and family voice strengthens every part of the community school model.
  • Culture and belonging are drivers of academic and social success.
  • Actionable data helps schools stay grounded in real needs and track impact over time.

Eastern CSTAC’s event highlighted that transformation doesn’t happen through isolated programs. It happens when schools integrate the Essentials for Community School Transformation into how they lead, teach, and partner every day.

Questions about this Community Schools spotlight?

Email us at EasternCSTAC@fordham.edu.