Cities, Schools, and Community Partners “Building Bridges for Student Success: Leveraging the California State Seal of Civic Engagement Through Community Partnerships”

Date: September 16, 2026
Time: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Ballroom H

The California State Seal of Civic Engagement provides schools with a powerful framework for connecting students to meaningful, real-world experiences while strengthening partnerships with cities, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations. This session will explore how schools, local governments, and community partners can collaborate to create sustainable programs, projects, and events that benefit everyone involved. Participants will learn how to establish community advisory committees that bring multiple stakeholders together to coordinate efforts, share resources, and identify opportunities for student engagement. Topics will include improving student safety through coordinated infrastructure projects, creating shared community calendars, promoting safe routes to school, organizing community clean-up and celebration events, leveraging grant and funding opportunities, and expanding after-school and summer programs through nonprofit partnerships. Presenters will share successful examples of collaboration from their communities and demonstrate how these partnerships can enhance student learning, support civic engagement, and provide pathways for students to earn the California State Seal of Civic Engagement while creating lasting benefits for schools and communities alike.

Leveraging the California State Seal of Civic Engagement Through Community Partnerships

Imagine the impact if cities, schools, and community organizations intentionally worked together through a coordinated partnership focused on helping students earn the California State Seal of Civic Engagement while strengthening community well-being. The California State Seal of Civic Engagement is awarded to students who demonstrate civic knowledge, meaningful community involvement, and a commitment to making a positive difference in their communities. Students can earn the Seal through participation in service-learning projects, community improvement efforts, local government activities, nonprofit partnerships, and volunteer service. By establishing a shared advisory committee, cities, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and elected officials can align goals, coordinate events, share resources, and create meaningful opportunities for students to engage in their communities. Students can volunteer at community parades, city-sponsored events, nonprofit activities, environmental cleanups, and public awareness campaigns while earning valuable civic engagement hours.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose and requirements of the California State Seal of Civic Engagement and identify how schools can use the Seal as a framework to increase student engagement, leadership, and community involvement.
• Develop strategies for building sustainable partnerships among schools, cities, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations that create meaningful civic engagement opportunities for students.
• Design collaborative community projects and events that address local needs, improve student safety, support environmental stewardship, and provide students with opportunities to earn civic engagement hours while making a positive impact in their communities.
• Create an action plan to establish a community advisory committee and a shared communication system that align resources, coordinate events, identify funding opportunities, and maximize benefits for students, schools, cities, and community partners.

Participants will leave with practical strategies and tools to build sustainable partnerships that increase student engagement, strengthen communities, and create meaningful pathways for students to earn the California State Seal of Civic Engagement while making a lasting impact in their communities.

Speakers:
Jeff Rivero, Teacher & UN 17 SDG Ambassador, Merced Union High School District
Kahri Boykin, CTE Teacher, Merced Union High School District