CALSA's Summer Institute 2026

The era of "punish and push out" is over. To meet the needs of today’s Latino students, schools must pivot from reactive exclusion to responsive restoration, positioning discipline as a vital component of wellness, academic identity, and student joy. This community schools approach is grounded in a healing-centered lens that moves beyond "managing behavior" to intentionally setting the conditions for radical belonging and psychological safety. By prioritizing "Other Means of Correction" and elevating student voice, we transform discipline from a bureaucratic hurdle into a powerful bridge for connection, ensuring schools are spaces where Latino students feel a deep sense of cultural pride and the fundamental right to thrive.
Through the collaborative perspectives of board members, site principals, and district leaders, this session highlights lessons learned in interrupting bias and rebuilding trust with families historically impacted by exclusionary practices. You will leave with actionable strategies to implement a high-support, high-accountability model that honors the cultural assets of our community. This is a call to co-create systems where discipline is no longer something done to a student, but a process of growth and healing built with them.