Center for Supportive Schools

We are thrilled to celebrate the six graduating seniors from across the globe who were the lucky recipients of CSS’s first ever Alum Book Fund sweepstakes, created to support the post-secondary educational trajectory of student leaders across CSS’s partner schools. The CSS Alum Book Fund was created entirely through generous donations from our dedicated CSS staff, who believe in the power of education and are eagerly committed to supporting our students every step of the way. Congratulations to our winners, who have already been notified and received their awards: Ivette, Flushing High School in NYC (Attending St. John's University) Citlaly, Franklin High School in NJ (Attending New Jersey City University) Victor, The Graded School in Brazil (Attending Wake Forest University) Madelin, High School for Health Professions and Human Services in NYC (Attending Brandeis University) Matthew, Hightstown High School, NJ (Attending Rowan University) Mariana, Kearny High School in NJ (Attending Felician University) We invite you in joining the CSS team in making an impact on our incredible students and their educational journeys. Donate today at https://lnkd.in/eFmwRRnB #CSSAlumBookFund #StudentSuccess #Education #SupportStudents #DonateToday #WhenStudentsLead

In the bustling city of Philadelphia, at the School of the Future, you’ll find Grace Martin Butryn, a dedicated teacher who offers a story of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of CSS’s evidence-based Peer Group Connection (PGC) program on both educators and students alike. In her seventh year of teaching, PGC reignited her passion for education and strengthened skills and dispositions that have positively impacted her teaching practices across disciplines. Read Grace's Full Story: https://lnkd.in/eiGemdVe CSS is excited to be celebrating PGC's 45th anniversary this year! Message us to learn more about how to bring PGC to your school. We have limited openings for our 2024-25 cohort and are already welcoming and onboarding our 2025-26 cohort of schools! #WhenStudentsLead #CSS #PGC #PhillySchools #Philadelphia #SchoolOfTheFuture #TransformativePD #PeerLeadership #StudentLedClassrooms #Mentoring

Don't miss our July information session, focused on CSS's Peer Group Connection (PGC) and Achievement Mentoring (AM) programs! This is your chance to learn how these transformative initiatives can make a profound impact on student development and school culture. 📅 Date: Thursday, July 11 🕒 Time: 1:00-2:00 EST 📍 Location: https://lnkd.in/e45UVkTe What to Expect: In-Depth Program Overview: Understand the goals, methodologies, and outcomes of PGC and AM. Interactive Q&A Session: Get your questions answered by program experts and current participants. Networking Opportunities: Connect with educators, administrators, and other stakeholders passionate about student success. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how Peer Group Connection and Achievement Mentoring can benefit your school community. We look forward to seeing you there! 🔗https://lnkd.in/e45UVkTe #Education #StudentLeadership #Mentoring #SchoolCommunity #PeerGroupConnection #AchievementMentoring #EducationalPrograms #StudentSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment #WhenStudentsLead #CSS

We are seeking elementary schools to partner with us on an exciting (and highly time-sensitive) opportunity. CSS is submitting a grant application to develop and evaluate the impact of Peer Group Connection-Elementary School (PGC-ES), a program designed to foster peer leadership and student connectedness, which draws from our evidence-based PGC-HS model that is celebrating 45 years of success this fall. If CSS’s proposal is funded, the grant will cover the start-up costs associated with PGC-ES. Your school will receive at no cost all professional development and training for faculty advisors; on-site coaching, technical assistance, and stakeholder development support; program curriculum and other resources; and a monetary stipend to support program implementation. Through this project, older students will gain the opportunity to practice and grow their skills as leaders. Younger students will benefit from the support of an older peer and the opportunity to practice and grow their understandings as unique individuals and members of the school community. For more information, send us a message or email us for BY JULY 9th! [email protected] #WhenStudentsLead #Attendance #Belonging #ElementarySchools #EmpowerYoungLeaders #GrantOpportunity #CommunitySupport #ElementaryExcellence #FutureLeaders #NoCostEducation #MakeADifference

We are incredibly humbled and proud to have CSS's Peer Group Connection (PGC) included as a part of the California School-Based Health Alliance Resource Hub. PGC, approaching its 45-anniversary this year, is an evidence-based, school-based, and credit-bearing peer leadership and mentoring program for middle and high schools. The School-Based Peer-to-Peer Resource Hub is designed to help schools and partner organizations as they seek to develop high quality, youth-centered, equity-focused peer-to-peer programs in schools. The resources showcase various approaches and models, illustrating the flexibility and adaptability of school-based peer-to-peer programs that bolster student well-being and strengthen the comprehensive school mental health system. https://lnkd.in/env7rBKr

The School District of Philadelphia and CSS partnered to host an extraordinary gathering of Peer Group Connection (PGC) peer leaders from middle and high schools that offer the program. On May 23, CSS-trained PGC faculty advisors and their student peer leaders converged for the highly anticipated PGC Peer Leader Summit, an event dedicated to leadership development, community building, and personal growth. The summit kicked off with PGC peer leaders from Constitution High School welcoming the group followed by inspiring remarks from Superintendent Tony Watlington and CSS CEO Dr. Jonathan Mathis, who encouraged attendees to embrace their roles as change-makers within their schools and the larger Philadelphia community. Participants then engaged in a series of activities facilitated by the peer leaders themselves, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the attendees. As the students returned to their respective schools, they carried with them new skills, insights, and a renewed commitment to making a difference. We are grateful for the longstanding relationship in Philadelphia and excited about the opportunities for new districts around the country to bring this impactful, evidence-based peer leadership and mentoring program to their own schools. If you're interested in learning more, reach out to us today to schedule a 1-1 call! Represented @philly_schools schools included: Benjamin B. Comegys School, Constitution High School, Franklin S. Edmonds Elementary School, George Washington High School, High School of the Future, Julia De Burgos Elementary School, Martin Luther King Jr. High School, Northeast High School, Parkway Center City Middle College, The U School, Thomas Edison High School, and W. D. Kelley School. #WhenStudentsLead #PhillySchools #PGC #PeerGroupConnection #StudentLeadership #PeerLeadership #CSS #CenterforSupportiveSchools

As part of our ongoing efforts to expand partnerships in the Hudson Valley, we recently hosted a site visit and information session at Newburgh Free Academy - North Campus where we were able to share our partnership opportunities, including PGC, AM, and customized offerings. We are especially grateful to our NFA student peer leaders, who demonstrated and shared information about PGC, providing authentic and relatable insights about the impact of the program on their leadership skills, confidence, and more. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to this insightful session. We look forward to continuing our work together to make a positive impact. We look forward to all the new relationships we'll build among our incoming cohorts of educators across the nation this summer. If you'd like to have your school join us, reach out today. #WhenStudentsLead #CSS #PGC #AchievementMentoring

We love seeing our network schools receiving the recognition they deserve! Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School in North Carolina has achieved CSS's gold-level Peer Group Connection (PGC) certification, reflecting the dedication and excellence of their faculty advisors and PGC stakeholders, Diane Renck, Jasmine Wilson, and Tabitha Edwards, as well as outstanding student peer leaders. Their hard work has not only facilitated smooth transitions for 9th graders but also fostered leadership among the peer leaders themselves. For more details, you can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eZ8K5xAu

We are thrilled to reveal our 2023-24 certified schools! CSS Program Certification for network schools is the way in which CSS recognizes excellence in implementing its programs with fidelity and demonstrating the skills needed to serve effectively as a Faculty Advisor, Stakeholder Team Coordinator, or Peer Leader. It celebrates the commitment of a school community to supporting the social-emotional well-being and academic development of its students. This year, we are proud to recognize the 19 schools in the CSS network who earned certification for Peer Group Connection (PGC) or Teen Prevention Education Program (Teen PEP). You can find the full list of schools here: https://lnkd.in/eWbMaPyu Congratulations to all our certified school partners and their student leaders on this impressive accomplishment! #CSSCertified #Certification #HighFidelity #SchoolCommitment #CSS #PGC #TeenPEP #WhenStudentsLead #Congratulations

Our favorite way to showcase showcase Peer Group Connection (PGC) is by stepping back and allowing student leaders from across our network schools do all the talking, because we know #WhenStudentsLead we all benefit. For 45 years, PGC has been empowering students from hundreds of schools to become leaders and mentors, and this panel highlighted their incredible growth, dedication, and impact. From developing leadership skills to fostering a supportive school community, these students are truly inspiring! ❤️ Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn more about PGC. We are excited to welcome our new cohort of schools from across the United States! There are still spaces in our PGC cohorts kicking off their learning journey this summer. Contact us to learn more about bringing PGC to your school in September! We are grateful to Claremont International High School in Bronx, New York for hosting one of our site visits and allowing their peer leaders to share their experience with the program. CIHS educator and PGC stakeholder Tony Paulino noted: "It was uplifting to see the school staff leverage the social capital inherently gained by students from the senior class, as a product of their own HS experience, and apply it to assist the freshman and sophomore classes to help them navigate the social minefield that inevitably is the High School journey. On any journey through the less travelled road, knowing there is someone a few steps ahead - willing to light the way - makes all the difference." #CSS #PGC #PeerGroupConnection #Leadership #Mentorship #Community #Inspiration #BrightFuture #StudentLeaders #PeerLeadership #EvidenceBased #CASEL