PLUS students collaborated with their school teams and peers from other campuses to build leadership skills, foster connection, and strategize ways to strengthen school culture districtwide. (Photo Credit: AUSD Communications Interns Katelyn Aguiniga and Suna Kwan)
Fostering a positive and inclusive school environment starts with student leadership, and Alhambra Unified School District’s PLUS program empowers students to lead that charge. At every school campus across the district, dedicated student teams work in partnership with staff and administrators to build connection, promote empathy, and elevate student voice.
PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students) is a student leadership component of AUSD’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. Each week, PLUS students meet with their site advisors to develop campus initiatives aimed at strengthening school climate and student engagement.
This year’s annual PLUS Leadership Summit took place on March 18 at the Hilton in San Gabriel. During the full-day forum, middle and high school PLUS students came together for a dynamic day of team-building activities led by presenter John Vandenburgh. Exercises like “Back in the Day,” “Get on the Bus,” “Three Things You Value,” and “High Five” encouraged students to reflect, share their perspectives, and build trust with one another.
By connecting with peers from across the district who share their commitment to making a difference, students gained new strategies — and renewed motivation — to bring back to their own campuses.
“This summit is about giving students the tools to be powerful influences on their campuses. Their energy, ideas, and compassion are exactly what our schools need. They are going to take what they’ve learned here and use it to foster stronger, more inclusive communities at their sites,” shared Dr. Wendy Molina-Solis, Director of Multi-Tiered Systems of Success.
She continued, “Our PLUS program would not be possible without the incredible advisors at each of our school sites. With our advisors guiding the way and these amazing students driving new ideas, they are building school environments where every student is supported and every voice is valued.”
