Dr. Damon J. Wright, Superintendent of the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) since July 1, is getting what he asked for when he launched his 100-Day Listening and Learning Plan on Aug. 13, the opening day of school.
The goal of Wright’s plan is to gather feedback from students, staff, families and community partners to inform SCUSD policies and move the district forward.
After attending community forums with Wright on Sept. 6 and 16, about 20 Santa Clara High School (SCHS) students, led by seniors Luke Bettencourt, Mason Conklin and Nico Oliveira, decided to take Wright up on his offer to listen to them.
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“In the past, reaching out to the district was a tedious and time-consuming process that rarely made any district-wide change,” said Bettencourt. “At these meetings, we realized the crucial opportunity we had as students to create actual change in our district. We began to quickly organize and advocate to bring student perspective into district policy.”
They organized a “Zero Tolerance Campaign” to—ultimately—involve students throughout SCUSD in district-level decisions. The three SCHS seniors see their role as that of organizers and advocates to help raise underrepresented voices in their school community after the 100-Day Plan ends and even after they graduate.
They are especially concerned about student mental health support, equity, equality, and diversity and bullying prevention.
“We truly appreciate and acknowledge our district officials and their hardships as leaders. We simply aim to collaborate effectively to reach a common goal, not to pester or start a riot in our communities,” said Bettencourt. “Now is the perfect time for change with a new superintendent in office and a listening ear.”
Dr. Wright applauds the students.
“I often talk about building bridges within our community, and that includes with our students. I want to applaud the students who have joined our community engagement sessions, courageously shared their perspectives, and shown continued interest in being part of the conversation,” said Dr. Wright.
A district-level Student Senate includes one elected Student Senator from each of the six SCUSD high schools. Of these, one serves on the Board of Trustees. However, members of the Zero Tolerance Campaign said that they were unaware of the Senate.
“[We] think this highlights the faulty connection between students and the district at SCUSD,” the three seniors said. “A new student representative body is needed in addition to the Student Senate to better represent all district students … not just the students in leadership or ASB [Associated Student Body], leaving the majority to fend for themselves.”
SCHS enrollment in 2024 was 1,732 students. Total enrollment for all six district high schools was 4,365.
“Many students involved in district affairs are often the students that need the least amount of help. It’s crucial that the quieter, less social and perhaps troubled kids get represented so no student gets left behind,” said Bettencourt, Conklin and Oliveira.
“While we appreciate the support and efforts from the Student Senate, it is fundamentally impossible to represent the diverse and vibrant community of Santa Clara in a couple student leaders,” they said.
Oliveira, as a senior, reflected that he hopes the efforts of the Zero Tolerance Campaign help the younger students get the full attention that they deserve going forward.
“Working towards a better community, even though I may not have a chance to see it fully bloom, will be well worth it in the long run,” agreed Conklin.
Already, they are on the radar of the district.
“This year, the Senate is focused on how to engage non-leadership students across the district in a meaningful and transparent way,” said SCUSD Public Information Officer Jennifer Dericco.
“We’re looking forward to connecting the students who have reached out to [‘The Weekly’] to our student engagement program,” she said.
Follow the Zero Tolerance Campaign on Instagram @zerotolerancecampaign.
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