As a hush fell upon the crowd in the second-floor cafeteria, Rose Mejia, Community School Director, stepped to the podium to welcome parents, students, staff, and newly accepted students to Lyons Community School’s annual Community School Forum.

Each year during April, May, or early June, New York City community schools host forums designed to share the state of the school, celebrate successes, identify challenges, and foster dialogue with community partners, families and students regarding their needs and expectations. The Lyons Community School Forum, held on Wednesday, May 20th from 5:00–7:00 PM, accomplished exactly that.

Following Rose’s welcome, Principal Nathan Larsen delivered the annual State of the School address. Attendees then participated in a structured gallery walk and idea exchange centered around four key topics: School Attendance, Family Engagement, Mental Health, and Trips, Events, & Activities.

The ideas and feedback shared were as varied as they were creative, reflecting the diverse perspectives and experiences of the school community. Suggestions ranged from developing mentorship programs for young men and women to improving school food options. Families also expressed a desire for a more engaging curriculum that authentically reflects their cultures and the lived experiences of the school population.

After staff collected parent and student surveys, attendees heard powerful student testimonials highlighting the impact of the community school strategy and the activities students most enjoyed participating in. Specific program testimonials showcased the success of initiatives such as the English Group, which helps foster confidence among Multilingual Learners (MLLs), and the Young People Group, which provides a safe and nurturing space for female students. Additional student-led successes included Student Government, which helps students build leadership and ambassadorial skills, as well as specialized clubs focused on cooking, gaming, and fitness that promote problem-solving, teamwork, and peer connection.

The rich qualitative feedback gathered during the forum, alongside insights collected through surveys, will directly inform the development of next year’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) and future activity programming.

The evening concluded with a raffle featuring a variety of gifts for attendees. Community partners also tabled and provided valuable resources and information, including Grand Street Settlement, the school’s Community-Based Organization (CBO), Brooklyn Book Bodega, NYC Emergency Management, and NYC Housing Preservation & Development (HPD).