News

Friday Night Live (FNL) is a youth leadership development program serving elementary (4th–12th grade), middle, and high school students across San Diego County. Activities are organized by youth, for youth, from dances and movie nights to community service projects and advocacy efforts for safe, healthy environments, such as sober grad initiatives.

Community schools grantees from across the Southern Coast Region recently gathered at the Mountain Empire Community Center for a Community Schools Showcase that highlighted how Mountain Empire Unified School District (MEUSD) is leveraging community schools as a strategy for whole-child transformation in a rural context. The showcase provided an opportunity to learn about the systems, structures, and partnerships that are driving implementation across MEUSD.

In early May, the Lemon Grove School District (LGSD) welcomed their community to their final Community Schools Steering Committee Meeting of the school year to listen, learn, and celebrate the impact of their community schools work. 

The Oceanside Unified Community Schools soccer tournament at Libby Elementary School brought together students, families, and staff for a vibrant day of connection, teamwork, and school pride. With more than 96 student-athletes participating and over 300 parents and family members in attendance, the event reflected the power of community-centered engagement.

At Berry Elementary (South Bay Union School District), our Community Schools work is grounded in a simple belief: when we truly listen to our students and families, we can create opportunities that build connection, joy, and lasting impact. This spring, that belief came to life through a series of powerful, community-driven activities that reflect what it means to center student voice, family engagement, and whole-child development.

Community Schools grantees in South County, San Diego came together for a second time this year at the South County Resource Summit, held on April 29 in the Burress Auditorium at the South Bay Union School District. This event was thoughtfully co-designed by the South County Community Schools Collaborative as a direct response to feedback from their inaugural Community Schools Summit held this past fall.