Civic Engagement for Students

Looking for ways to contribute to your community?  Here's a list of ways for students to be civically engaged both inside the school district and out. Giving your time and energy to these groups allows you to gain experience and skills, and may support your potential application for the California State Seal of Civic Engagement. Students can earn a seal on their diploma and a cord to wear at graduation. For more information and to find the form to apply, see the linked document (Seal of Civic Engagement Letter).

DJUSD Board of Education
Role: DJUSD Student Trustee

Who does this group consist of?
The five elected adult members of the Board of Education and the two non-voting Student Trustees representing DSHS and DaVinci Charter Academy.

What does it do?
Represent student perspectives, offer input and insight to adult decision makers regarding policies, programs and actions of DJUSD.

How do you become the Student Trustee for your school?
Contact the Leadership Class teacher at your school. In 2024-25:
Ms. Swanstrom at DSHS
Mr. Rosenberg at DVCA.

Superintendent's Student Advisory
Role: Advisory Member

Who does this group consist of?
About 22  students from all four high schools who are interested in making DJUSD a better place to learn.

What does it do?
It works with the Superintendent throughout the year to design, lead and support the Know Better Do Better Be Better campaign.

How do you become a member of the Advisory?
Each spring the Superintendent invites all students to apply for the Advisory through an online application.  Students are selected and notified in the following fall. 

The City of Davis Human Relations Commission
Role: Commissioner, Ex Officio

Who does this group consist of?
People in the community who volunteer, and representatives of UC Davis, DJUSD and the faith community.  Non-student Commissioners apply and are selected by City Council Members. 

What does it do?
The Commission's purpose is to promote mutual respect, understanding, justice, and advancing the human rights of all people.

How do you become a member of the Advisory?
Contact DJUSD Coordinator of School Climate, Kate Snow, who serves as the District's ex-officio (non-voting) representative. Also fill out the Commissioner Application form on the City of Davis website. Student commissioners usually start with the beginning of the school year, so it helps to apply in the spring of the previous year. 
Previous: Ethnic Studies Student Group
Who did this group consist of?
Students from 6th-12th grades who were interested in creating education that examines power, privilege and oppression, and that centers the experiences of marginalized groups.

What did it do?
It met to learn about, discuss and plan the student role in developing Ethnic Studies in DJUSD, and worked with the Ethnic Studies Task Force to guide the District's plan.
What did it accomplish?
Ethnic Studies was made a DJUSD graduation requirement. In 2023-24 all 9th graders took a semester of Ethnic Studies for the first time.
Previous: Diversify Our Narrative DJUSD Chapter & GENup DJUSD Chapter
Who did DON consist of?
Secondary students, all DJUSD high schools
What did it do?
The group focused on increasing the diversity of representation in DJUSD's English Curriculum. They worked to ensure that people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized communities were represented through the literature that is read in humanities courses in Davis.
What did this group do?
In the 2020-2021 school year DON submitted public comments for Board of Education meetings. They helped review curriculum and books for teachers. 
What did it accomplish?
The new English 10 curriculum is much more diverse and representative of different experiences and perspectives.

 GENup DJUSD Chapter

Who did this group consist of?
Secondary students, all DJUSD high schools
What did GenUp do?
It was a local chapter run by students for students that advocated for education equality, especially equal access to resources and representation for diverse groups of people. They tackled tasks like updating the DJUSD Health Curriculum, and working for education equity in Davis.
What did this group accomplish?
They worked with Instructional Services to help update the DJUSD Health Curriculum.