Join us as we explore Student Voice in our Lanier Cluster.

“Student Voice is very important because it gives significance to my thoughts and feelings, giving me value as a student and respecting my values as a person,” says Paula, Lanier HS Senior.

In GCPS, we strongly believe that Student Voice is essential to transforming our district's culture and supporting each and every student. When students are supported and encouraged to share thoughts, experiences, and ideas about mental health and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – they are empowered to positively impact and change the culture within their schools, and the district.

¿Sabías qué? El club escolar, Lanier Latino Partnership (LLP) de Lanier High, se esfuerza por fomentar un sentido de comunidad para todos los estudiantes al aumentar la conciencia cultural de la rica historia de los latinos y promover una imagen positiva de los estudiantes latinos como lideres en la comunidad de Sugar Hill. El objetivo para los estudiantes de Lanier es abrazar sus orígenes latinos y desarrollar más conciencia sobre las diversas culturas latinas en sus comunidades.

“Considero que la voz de los estudiantes es muy significativa porque a través de ella podemos expresar todas las ideas que puede generar nuestra mente, siento que la creatividad e ingenio que podemos llegar a tener como jóvenes nos abre puertas y oportunidades, también puede inspirar a otros,” dice Nikol, estudiante de tercer año de Lanier. “En Lanier High tenemos mil maneras de expresar nuestra voz e ideas, a través de nuestros clubs, maestros y lideres estudiantiles, en voz de Lanier Latino Partnership, nos sentimos felices y agradecidos de poder sentirnos presentes dentro de la escuela, como latinos también nos sentimos parte de esto y logramos compartir nuestras raíces y esencia, cientos de estudiantes han encontrado su voz en nuestro club, y a través de él sienten que también son parte de todas las cosas que hace Lanier.” 

“Blub Blub Moo...” Meet the SeaCow Robotics team, an all-girls, award-winning underwater robotics group collaborating to build an efficient underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) and give young women a safe place to explore and expand their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) passions.

“It’s awesome to have to have all these great options for clubs and I like coming here every Wednesday after school – [club participation] helps you grow socially and as a person,” says Sophia, a Lanier High freshman, and new SeaCow Robotics member.

Founded in January 2021, the SeaCow Robotics team qualified for the MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) ROV World Championships in 2022, and again in 2023. After an outpouring of community support, the team raised the funds to attend the 2023 championship and finished in the top ten, overcoming many technological challenges along the way, and gaining valuable insight for future builds and competitions.

Makenna, Lanier High senior, and founder of the SeaCows, wanted to start a robotics team that aligned with her passion for ROV design and construction, and allowed freedom to explore the school's makerspace. Now expanded to a great network of young women, the SeaCow Robotics team provides freedom, support, and opportunities to achieve the height of their possibilities and explore their passions. Violet, a Lanier High sophomore and SeaCow Robotics team member, encourages students to get involved and advocate for opportunities to explore their interests in school, and encourages staff support and involvement.

“I want to be at school. I want to be working on [our] robot,” she says. "Hearing [from my teacher] ‘nothing is out of reach; we will make it happen’ is freeing. It’s great to know anyone [at my school] can invest in their passion.”

“Snap, chop... crunch!”  Wash the lettuce and cut the cucumbers, as White Oak Elementary brings “homegrown” to a new level with its Garden-Lunch Program. “Homegrown” for White Oak Elementary means growing vegetables using sustainable practices, including water conservation, and improving soil health in ways that protect the environment. Students in 3rd through 5th grade can apply to join the Garden-Lunch Program each May, with 18-20 students joining in the fall, and 18-20 joining in the spring. Students not only engage in an activity that interests them, but there is also plenty of exposure to lessons in nutrition, responsibility, collaboration, and proper kitchen procedures.

“I’ve learned there are many different ways to plant and that gardeners have many responsibilities,” says one program member. “Gardeners have to pay attention to things like if the plants are getting enough sun, water, and air.”

With the guidance of Gwinnett’s School Nutrition Program and cafeteria manager, Ms. Torres, students plant and harvest assorted items including broccoli, kale, collard greens, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. In the fall, students learn about soil and soil testing, they plant and harvest the fall garden, and they work in the cafeteria on special days to prepare the vegetables. In the spring, students grow food hydroponically from January through March, including herbs, and a variety of lettuce and spinach. The students also plan and plant a spring garden, and during the summer garden club families take turns tending to the garden weekly. Encouraging family participation and catering to specific interests of its students is one of the many ways White Oak Elementary supports Student Voice and instills valuable lessons.

“I like to cook with my family and make different dishes with vegetables,” says one program member. “I garden at home with my family, and I wanted to learn more about the best ways to garden.”  

On days that students work with Ms. Torres in the cafeteria, they learn procedures for working in the kitchen including proper handwashing, wearing gloves, using hairnets, and the importance of rubber bottom closed-toed shoes. For one lunch, Ms. Torres taught students how to thoroughly clean and dry lettuce for salads, and how to work collaboratively in an assembly line.

For staff supporting the Garden-Lunch Program, the goal is to engage students in gardening and cooking activities. By teaching them valuable lessons that could affect their nutritional habits, the students are gaining a sense of pride and accomplishment after growing their own food. Staff members want students to understand that sustainability improves the quality of our lives, protects the ecosystem, and preserves natural resources for future generations.

“I enjoy when we plant and then get to see the vegetables grow, but the best part is when we get to harvest and eat the food in the cafeteria – it was fun to tell my friends that I helped grow the salad they are eating,” said one program member. “I also liked it when I was able to take home some eggplants and make eggplant tacos at my house.”

Throughout the Lanier Cluster, a clear emphasis on Student Voice fosters a sense of belonging and ownership. When empowered to engage in their passions and expand their skills, students not only grow as individuals but also discover connections with their peers and within their communities.

“Ommmm... yum!” Whether it’s yoga, cupcake decorating, book club, fishing club, foreign language, or Minecraft EDU, at Sycamore Elementary, Student Voice means relationship building and choice. With the school’s “Clubs for All” initiative, students have more than 75 different options to express themselves and learn new skills and hobbies. Most importantly, by limiting club size, students can build meaningful relationships with other adults in the building.

“[Our clubs] are awesome because we get to just have fun with our teachers and interact with students who we don’t normally get to see,” says a Sycamore 3rd grader.

“Hum, whirr... clang!” You’ll need to head back to your computer and back to square one to enter an altered code for your LEGO® creation. At Sugar Hill Elementary, the first GCPS school to offer FIRST® LEGO® League for Kindergarten through 5th grade, students are mentored by Lanier High Robotics team members. From this experience, elementary students found freedom and flexibility in hands-on coding and programming. Carolyn, a Sugar Hill 5th grader, says club involvement has helped her become a better leader and collaborator.

In Sugar Hill Elementary’s learning community, the understanding that intentional feedback leads to student and professional growth, and technology engages learners, means that staff take a creative approach in offering various club opportunities for students seeking after-school engagement.

“I wanted to join robotics to improve my skills working with others and my coding abilities,” says Nicholas, a Sugar Hill 5th grader. “This is preparing me for a future as an engineer.”

For 2nd grader Thu, and 4th grader Cameron, lessons in leadership, teamwork, and collaboration easily transfer from club to classroom, and each student finds freedom and joy in meaningful work. When reflecting on the variety of clubs and learning opportunities provided by staff at Sugar Hill Elementary, Cameron adds, “I feel acknowledged and that I fit in at this school.”

Throughout the Lanier Cluster, an emphasis on Student Voice means growth, responsibility, collaboration, and respect. When staff and community members support and consider the unique perspectives of students, the freedom to explore turns passion into joy for learning and partnership.

“Student voice is important to me because it allows me to communicate ideas and give guidance,” says Sebastian, a senior and LLP member. “At Lanier High, I can express my voice by standing out from others in academic subjects and always trying to be a role model. You can have many opportunities to be a school voice.”