Every child must be seen, known, and feel they belong. Schools must bring kids joy. Joy and a sense of belonging will make kids want to attend.

About this proposal: This statement was drafted by the MSEG team to capture the common thread across 7 comments shared on the What's Important board at the June 1, 2026 community engagement session. The original comments appear below, unedited, so you can see exactly what was said. Read all 159 comments from the session.

What we heard

• Schools must honor the individuality and strengths of each child
• Schools must be places where children are seen and known
• I need a school that creates belonging (research by Dr. Shanette Porter)
• Schools must be a space where students feel connected and loved
• My children and my family need a school that brings them joy, makes them feel like they belong, and is willing to engage and collaborate with families
• I need a school that emphasizes belonging + safety + joyful learning for all students + families
• I need a school that my child wants to attend