Student-led Culture, Climate and Inclusivity program expands across Lancaster schools

At a Lancaster Central School District Board of Education meeting, students and staff described how the district’s Culture, Climate and Inclusivity (CCI) committee has grown and moved into classrooms across district schools, with student presenters saying the program began after the Buffalo shooting on 05/14/2022 and now includes monthly meetings, classroom lessons and professional development for staff.

The program “was formed to create a safe space for students to express how national and local events impact them personally, and to offer support, education, and action,” said Kaylee Jackson, a graduating senior and an original CCI member. She told the board the committee began in 2022 with five students and has grown to “over 50 active members between the high school and middle school.”

CCI leaders told the board they use student-led meetings and small-group discussions to teach empathy, positive communication and how to address hurtful language. “Topics include how to respectfully ask questions about someone’s race, identity, or culture, how certain language and wordage can be harmful, and how embracing differences strengthens our community,” Jackson said.

Students and the CCI coordinator, Bonnie Blatner, described several district activities this year. A student speaker said CCI members visited every kindergarten through third-grade classroom to read books and lead age-appropriate discussions; the presentation cited The Crayon Box That Talked for younger students and a title identified in remarks as Where Oliver Fits for older elementary children. Middle- and high-school students ran lessons on categories of hurtful speech and on bystander responses; a seventh-grade lesson delivered on May 12 addressed slurs and other harmful comments, the presenters said.

Student presenters also described a “Legendary Day of Learning” event in which students spoke to about 500 teachers. One student said 154 faculty members reported that the CCI presentation was their favorite part of that event. “That day I talked about what students need from teachers, support, and when we are struggling or being bullied,” Saba Nicole, a junior, told the board. Nicole described personal impact: “Now I feel more confidence to ask questions in class and talk more. My grades are improved so much. I went from a d student to a a plus student and thanks to miss Blattner, I couldn't have done it without her.”

Presenters said CCI also supports teacher professional development; Blatner said she and student leaders delivered sessions during summer and in-school professional development to help teachers reduce bias and make classrooms more inclusive. Students reported classroom activities and schoolwide theme months that emphasized unity, kindness and acceptance, and described programs such as Best Buddies that pair general-education students with self-contained peers.

Board members thanked the students and staff for their work and noted the presentations as part of the district’s broader goals. The student presenters asked the board and administration to continue supporting CCI lessons for younger grades and to expand student-led trainings.

The presenters did not ask the board to vote on a policy or funding action during the meeting; no formal motion related to CCI was taken.

Lancaster Central School District staff and student leaders said they plan to continue monthly meetings, expand classroom lessons to younger grades, and offer further professional development for teachers in the coming school year.