The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) offers many opportunities for student leadership, and the Peacekeeper Program at Northeast Elementary stands out as a powerful example of student voice in action. Created and led by social worker Catherine Layton, and co-facilitated by teaching assistant Kim Chisholm, the program empowers students to build meaningful relationships, model leadership, and guide their peers in resolving conflicts collaboratively.
For participating students, leadership is hands-on and meaningful. After completing a six-week training program—meeting once a week for two and a half hours—students demonstrate their learning through a comprehensive assessment. This includes true/false and matching questions, fill-in-the-blank responses, short essays, and role-play scenarios.
Once trained, students take on active roles within the school community. Peacekeepers support younger students during kindergarten through second-grade recess and lunch, assist with choice time in early grades, and serve as apprentices in art, music, physical education, and the library. They also help lead lunch groups with a social worker, make morning announcements, and even design new roles based on needs they identify. Each responsibility is student-driven, encouraging children to recognize challenges, propose solutions, and take initiative.
The program has grown significantly this year, with 60–70 students trained and approximately 40 currently serving in active roles. Beyond their daily responsibilities, students develop essential social-emotional skills such as empathy, active listening, collaboration, and advocacy—skills that extend far beyond the classroom. These experiences help lay the foundation for engaged, compassionate community members.
On April 11, 2026, Catherine, Kim, and seven Peacekeepers presented at the New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA) Institute Convention, Charting the Course: Envisioning the Future of Mental Health Services. This marked the first time elementary students presented at the conference. Their presentation was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback and reinforced the importance of early prevention through peer-to-peer programs. As a result, Catherine has been invited to explore expanding this framework to other districts across New York.
At Northeast Elementary, students are not just learning about leadership—they are living it. Through the Peacekeeper Program, they are helping shape a school culture grounded in empathy, collaboration, and care.