Spirit of Community

Highlights: Student affinity groups create spaces for belonging, empowerment, and inclusivity within our schools. The NSBE STEM after-school club fosters cultural affirmation and social justice while encouraging students to explore STEM through a community-focused lens. Our Best Buddies programs build meaningful friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, promoting inclusion and leadership in a supportive environment. REACH at Bala Cynwyd Middle School serves as a foundation for high school affinity groups by empowering students of color through mentorship, discussions on race and identity, and community engagement with parents and local leaders. These groups provide students with a platform to celebrate their identities, form meaningful connections, and engage in advocacy within their school communities. Lower Merion High School students engage in computer science activities through Program.it and Code LM, fostering community, collaboration, and networking with professionals, alumni, and peers from other schools.

Highlights: Community celebrations and showcases serve as powerful avenues for fostering connection, appreciation, and belonging within our schools. Events at our elementary schools like Cultural Heritage Night, Taste of PW, and the Potluck Dinner bring families together to share their traditions, stories, and cuisines, reinforcing the richness of our diverse community. Similarly, the Parent Café and the MultiLingual Families Picnic create welcoming spaces where families build relationships and provide support for one another. Additionally, Back-to-School Picnics and Grade-Level Evening Socials allow students, families, and teachers to form meaningful bonds early in the school year, setting the tone for an inclusive and engaged school community. Meanwhile, Ram Day at Harriton High School offers a platform for student organizations to connect with peers and promote student-driven engagement, while Thrilling Thursdays at Welsh Valley empower students with choice-based enrichment opportunities, deepening their sense of agency and connection with educators and classmates.

Furthermore, elementary programs such as Guaranteed Experiences integrate community partnerships into the curriculum, enriching student learning through real-world applications, while initiatives like Student Shoutouts and Ram Huddle recognize and uplift members of the school community. Events like Camp America cultivate teamwork and personal growth, demonstrating that when students feel connected to their peers, educators, and community, they develop a stronger sense of belonging and a deeper commitment to their shared learning environment. Additionally, fourth-graders from all six LMSD elementary schools attend the World Language Festival hosted by over 150 student volunteers from both high schools to explore French, Spanish, and Latin and choose a language for fifth grade.

Pathway Connection: These celebrations and experiences exemplify the Spirit of Community pathway by fostering environments where students, families, and staff actively engage with one another, strengthening relationships, and celebrating the unique contributions of each individual.