Students describe belonging work as Lake Oswego launches "Teaching Minds, Leading Hearts" segment
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Summary
The district debuted a board‑meeting segment to highlight student experiences tied to the strategic plan pillar "culture of belonging." Elementary, middle and high school students described programs to promote inclusion, anti‑bullying efforts and counselor support.
Lake Oswego School District introduced a recurring board‑meeting segment, “Teaching Minds and Leading Hearts,” and invited students from elementary, middle and high schools to speak about belonging and inclusion.
Gigi McAllister, a fifth grader from Forest Hills Elementary, told the board her multicultural coloring committee organizes monthly themed contests and reading visits to younger grades to help children feel included. “Celebrating and learning about our differences make our school more inclusive and friendly,” Gigi said.
An eighth grader, Joanne Panning, described anti‑bullying work at Lake Ridge Middle School and outreach she led with younger students at Hallinan. “I had the opportunity to create and present a slideshow about bullying and how it could be stopped,” she said, and said the experience changed how she thinks about her behavior and its effects on others.
Lake Oswego High School senior Alice Thomas spoke about feeling supported by peers and faculty during the college‑application process, and credited her counselor — “Miss Farris” — for taking time to answer questions and meet students one‑on‑one.
District leaders said the new segment is intended to connect the board’s strategic plan to student experiences, starting with the plan’s first pillar, culture of belonging. Board members and the superintendent thanked the students and said the presentations served as a reminder of the board’s core purpose.
The district said future meetings will continue to feature students from different schools and grade levels.