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Students and staff highlight belonging efforts: Natural Helpers, MSA and principals report strong participation
Summary
Student groups Natural Helpers and the Muslim Student Association presented to the board about peer support and cultural education; principals reported high extracurricular participation and a range of student and staff wellness initiatives across district schools.
BRIGHTON, N.Y. — Student leaders and principals used the Brighton Central School District Board of Education meeting on April 29 to outline work intended to increase student belonging and wellbeing across the district.
At Brighton High School, students from Natural Helpers described the club’s peer-support model and outreach. “Our mission as a club and program is to establish a network of helpers across Brighton High School,” said Trevor Nolan, junior representative for Natural Helpers. Student leaders said the group trains peers in a short, repeatable process and aims to place a Natural Helper in every friend group; leaders said they take about 40 students on a retreat annually and run fundraisers such as a May 17 car wash.
The board heard from the Muslim Student Association (MSA), whose officers described a recent schoolwide Ramadan and Eid assembly. MSA co-presidents explained they produced a video and organized students to create roughly 1,200 cards for cancer patients as an act of service during Ramadan. Club officers said MSA’s events and collaborations with other student groups help “provide a sense of belonging for Muslim students who are looking for a community at school.”
Principals from the district’s schools summarized spring activities and engagement efforts. School leaders reported that 82–85% of students participate in at least one club or activity, while about 5% of students were identified as not engaged; counselors and staff work to reach that group and, where appropriate, provide credit for part-time work. Highlights included student book fairs, concerts, field trips, intramurals and student-created projects, along with community partnerships such as guest visits from Eastman School of Music and an Israeli delegation.
Principals also described staff-focused supports: wellness committees, time returned to staff for collaboration, and faculty recognition events. Several principals noted new or continuing initiatives to address student mental health and belonging, including classroom activities that blend languages and sign, and efforts to integrate Habits of Mind with physical-activity programs.
Other items in the reports: one school introduced a therapy dog named Violet; multiple buildings described active clubs (Science Olympiad, culinary and gaming clubs among more than 30 offerings at one middle school); and principals outlined many May events, including AP exams, concerts, transition assemblies and a district color run.
Board members thanked the student presenters and principals and noted the district will continue to publicize student events and fundraisers.
