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North Hills highlights student-led "Do No Harm" initiatives, peer mentoring and regional partnerships
Summary
Director of Student and Community Engagement David Lyons briefed the board on student leadership programs including the SALT team, diversity clubs, peer mentoring, the "Do No Harm" umbrella, regional partnerships and upcoming student leadership events.
At the Sept. 4 committee meeting, Director of Student and Community Engagement David Lyons described a year of expansion for student-led programs designed to build leadership, social-emotional skills and cross-district collaboration.
Lyons said the district's SALT (Student Athlete Leadership Team) and diversity clubs have broadened activity across the district, including reading visits to elementary grades, peer mentoring programs and a new student community advisory board formed from club and activity leaders. He said student leaders are active partners in classroom visits, professional development with teachers, and campus events.
Lyons framed much of the work under the district's "Do No Harm" umbrella, a cultural and climate message adopted across clubs and activities. He credited students for originating ideas such as adding a "Do No Harm" insert to football-game materials and said the umbrella concept will be embedded in upcoming activities.
He outlined partnerships and events that will give student leaders regional exposure: representation at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit on Sept. 15, a presentation at the Whippiel sportsmanship summit in November, and participation in the Woodland Hills student summit in March. Lyons said one student, Janai Cassell, will appear as a panelist on the main stage at the Eradicate Hate conference.
Lyons also described collaborations with neighboring districts (South Fayette, Gateway, Seneca Valley) and organizations including the AIU's strategic partnerships office, and said student leadership opportunities could include free field trips provided by an initiative called Light.
The director said work on mentoring, mental-health stigma reduction (Stand Together), and other extracurricular supports will continue this school year, noting the district had been designated a United Way "champion district" for community service activities.
Board members did not ask follow-up questions after the presentation. Lyons closed by showing photos of student activities and thanking the students, staff and partner organizations who supported the programs.
