Learning does not stop at the classroom door. Across the School District of Lancaster, educators, families, and community partners are working together to create learning experiences that connect students to the world around them. That work recently took center stage in Long Beach, California, where members of the SDoL team presented at the National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference.
The conference brought together more than 2,000 educators, school leaders, community school practitioners, family engagement professionals, and partners from across the country to explore best practices, shared strategies, and learn from one another about what it takes to build stronger schools through family engagement, community partnerships, and student-centered instruction.
Representing the School District of Lancaster were Jorge Blau, Michele Duroni, Patrick Muench, Phoebe Radcliffe, and Alex Rohrer, who presented “Expanding School Walls: Developing Rigorous Community-Connected Classroom Instruction.”
The presentation highlighted the work taking place at Washington Elementary and Burrowes Elementary, where staff have been developing learning experiences rooted in strong community connections. The team shared how schools can establish the conditions needed for successful community school work, including strong partnerships, shared leadership, trust, and a clear focus on student learning.
At Washington Elementary, presenters highlighted years of intentional work to build and strengthen these conditions. At Burrowes Elementary, they shared how rigorous, community-connected classroom instruction can be designed in ways that are meaningful, curriculum-aligned, and accessible for students.
These experiences give students opportunities to learn both inside and outside the school building. They connect classroom content to real people, places, and resources in Lancaster. They also offer practical and cost-effective solutions to challenges many schools and districts are facing, especially as educators continue looking for ways to deepen engagement, expand access, and make learning feel more relevant for students.
The team also lifted up the partners who help make this work possible, including Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Millersville University, and The Edible Classroom. Their support reflects what community schools are built on the belief that students benefit when schools and community partners work together toward shared goals.
For SDoL, this national presentation was a chance to share the strength of Lancaster’s approach to community-connected learning and the belief that every student deserves access to experiences that help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
“We were deeply grateful for the opportunity to stand on a national stage and represent not just our schools, but the outstanding work happening in our classrooms where rigorous, community-connected instruction truly brings learning to life,” said Dr. Alex Rohrer, Senior Community School Director, “this opportunity was about all of us, the students, the families, the faculty and staff, and our community partners who all make this work possible and so impactful.”
Grant funding made this opportunity possible, helping the team bring this work to a national audience.
As the district continues its community schools work, the presentation served as a reminder of what is possible when schools do not work in isolation. When educators, families, and community partners come together, school walls expand. Learning becomes more connected. And students gain access to experiences that help them see themselves, their community, and their futures in new ways.