District highlights peer‑to‑peer and link programs to build belonging across grade levels
Summary
Board heard presentations on peer‑to‑peer and link programs at elementary, middle and high school levels that pair students to build friendships, social skills and classroom engagement; district emphasized belonging as a core goal.
Royal Oak Schools presented its peer‑to‑peer and link programs at the Oct. 9 meeting, describing efforts across elementary, middle and high school to pair students to develop friendships, social‑emotional skills and academic engagement.
Presenters described the elementary and middle‑school peer‑to‑peer model as coaching students in friendship skills (turn‑taking, flexibility, shared interests) and moving those relationships beyond structured settings into playground and after‑school contexts. The program aims to create natural friendships and reduce social isolation for students with autism and other special needs.
At the high school level, presenters described the LYNX/link model, in which link students participate in classroom instruction during the first semester and learn about disabilities, inclusion and strategies to support peers. A teacher explained that link students provide classmates with a peer to consult during work time, promoting academic engagement and social connection for students who otherwise might depend on teacher support.
Student voices appeared in the presentation. One student said peer‑to‑peer “helps me explain things” and called peer partners “just our friends.” Another described the program as helping students “see what people look like on the inside and not just, like, the outside.” Presenters reiterated that belonging is the goal and that programs aim to create relationships that persist beyond the classroom.
The board had no substantive questions during the presentation. Administrators said they will continue the programs and promote belonging across grade levels.
Quotes from the meeting - "One of the main social emotional skills that I see students build is their idea of flexibility," presenter said, explaining peer‑to‑peer skills coaching. - A student: "It's fun to help them... they are just our friends. It's not like talking to a teacher."
Context The presentations were part of the Curriculum & Instruction update and included examples from Adams Elementary and the high school LYNX program. The district characterized the programs as part of broader strategic goals to make students feel welcomed and accepted.
