JACKSON TWP — Creating a positive school culture and giving students the skills to succeed outside the classroom takes an entire community.

Through its Learn Explore Act Develop (LEAD) program, the Seneca Valley School District is doing its part to address students' needs, both educationally and personally.

Jeff Roberts, the district's supervisor of gifted education and student services, updated the Seneca Valley School Board on the program during Monday's meeting. He said the program aims to address and improve communication skills, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. These concepts help students become focused on career readiness as well as lead them to live lives that are appreciative of others, kind and respectful. The ultimate goal, he said, is to help students thrive after they graduate.

However, there are barriers to that success, including students who have experienced trauma, are dealing with substance abuse or feel as though they are being left behind in the classroom. He said these external factors can affect anyone.

“Perhaps, when they come to school, they're focusing on something other than learning,” he said.

He added that finding a way to include and engage with students who are not interested in being community leaders can be a challenge, but is part of bringing together all members of a school community.

The program aims to consider these barriers and create a dialogue within the school community. It also focuses on bullying prevention, digital citizenship, wellness and mindfulness. There is also a priority placed on career readiness and developing skills that can be applied in every facet of life.

Roberts explained this is done through classroom meetings as well as presentations by specialist teachers and school assemblies. It also relies on parent and community engagement as well as teachers and staff modeling positive behaviors, and reinforcement when those behaviors are displayed by students.

“We have to believe that developing students' positive behavior is everyone's responsibility,” he said.