Our partnership with the Auburn School District began in 2016 and continues to demonstrate how meaningful progress can ripple across an entire district. It started with Dick Scobee Elementary, which joined us as a Whole School partner. From there, the momentum grew—through professional development workshops and personalized coaching, we supported educators at multiple schools as they deepened their understanding of trauma-responsive, equity-centered practices and social-emotional learning.
Expanding our collaboration with Auburn School District
In 2022, our collaboration expanded when we sent a team of presenters to facilitate five different repeated sessions during Auburn’s all-staff Social Emotional Learning Day, further sharing our approach across the district. Since then, Terminal Park Elementary has emerged as a shining example of our collaboration and is now one of our Demonstration School partners. The success at Terminal Park inspired district leaders to explore how the BELONG Partners approach could be implemented at additional elementary schools.
However, while the district recognized the powerful impact of this work, they faced a familiar barrier: funding.
Our philanthropic partner – foundry10
We’re grateful to the education research organization foundry10, who we’ve collaborated with on several past projects, for helping us address that barrier through philanthropic support. Recognizing the potential of our integrated, data-driven approach to social-emotional learning, restorative discipline, and trauma-responsive practices, foundry10 provided a generous grant enabling our expansion to three more Auburn elementary schools.
Hope Donato, Health and Well-Being Team Lead at foundry10, says of our collaboration, “We are proud to support Auburn’s evolving partnership with BELONG Partners, which is helping to expand ideas about district and school wide SEL. At the heart of this work are Auburn’s students, their strengths, their needs, and their growth. It’s powerful to see educators and families coming together to build supportive, schoolwide systems where students feel safe, connected, and able to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.”
New initiatives in Auburn elementary schools
Thanks to this partnership, we’ve launched new initiatives at Chinook, Willow Crest, and Ilalko Elementary Schools. The grant enables us to offer comprehensive professional development, strengthen data systems, provide coaching for educators, and actively engage families. Together, we’re working to create safer, more connected school environments that foster student well-being and belonging.
Rhonda Larson, Assistant Superintendent of Student Engagement Services in Auburn School District, could barely contain her enthusiasm when we shared the possibility of this opportunity with them. Her email reply came quickly that afternoon, “YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry I yelled… this is just so exciting!”
When asked why she wanted to expand the BELONG Partners approach to additional schools in the district, Ms. Larson responded, “The vision of our two organizations could not be more aligned. Developing schoolwide systems for student success that center relationships, collaboration, and collective care cannot be accomplished without partners. There are few organizations that can get deep into the heart of the school environment like BELONG Partners can, which makes all the difference. Together, we’re stronger and better prepared to meet the needs of our students so they can learn, and can thrive.”
Stacy Lappin, Director of Program for BELONG Partners, describes how the work unfolded this spring, “At Willow Crest and Ilalko, we facilitated trauma-responsive practice workshops for teachers who were highly engaged, and eager to apply practical tools in their classrooms. Families have participated in an ‘Introduction to Parenting with Courage and Connection’ workshop, which we offered English with Dari language interpretation and translated materials.
Chinook engaged in the most intensive learning this spring, with six hours of professional development and additional coaching at the grade-level and individual teacher level. Their work focused on reflecting on current data practices, creating more accurate systems, and planning for aligned Tier 1 practices and shared language for the 2025-2026 school year. We worked with their Student Support Team using a strengths-based protocol to support students with Tier 3 behavior needs and led a parenting workshop for their community.
Our facilitators were deeply impressed by the energy, commitment, and openness of the school leaders, educators, and district administrators across all three schools. Their willingness to engage in meaningful learning and shift practice in such a short time is a powerful signal of their dedication to students and families!”
Shared commitment that will lead to lasting impact
We are proud of what this partnership between Auburn School District, foundry10, and BELONG Partners represents: a shared commitment to equity, emotional safety, and lasting impact for thousands of Auburn students.