MAYVILLE, NY – Students at Chautauqua Lake Central School are stepping into leadership roles through the countywide CHQ Kids Care program, using real-world projects in safety, environmental stewardship, and community education to make a meaningful impact across Chautauqua County.
Chautauqua Lake Central School District is proud to partner with Chautauqua County Government to launch CHQ Kids Care, a student-powered program that celebrates and supports young changemakers across our region. Coordinated by Chautauqua Lake teacher assistant Fawn Schuster, the initiative aims to provide a platform for students across the region to lead projects that promote kindness, wellness, and environmental stewardship.
“To me, CHQ Kids Care is about building a community where empowered students care deeply for their community and see themselves as real changemakers that are part of something bigger,” said Schuster. “We want kids to be valued partners in the work happening across Chautauqua County, lending our energy, creativity, and compassion to help it grow stronger.”
This endeavor is directly connected to “gold standard” project-based learning that involves hands-on, real-world learning experiences that foster environmental awareness, problem-solving skills, and civic responsibility.
“CHQ Kids Care is an outstanding example of what happens when community partners and students come together with purpose,” said Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. “Our students are learning, leading, and using their voices to educate our community on topics that truly matter—public safety, environmental stewardship, and regional pride. I’m grateful for this partnership and inspired by the creativity and commitment these young leaders bring to Chautauqua County.”
As part of the program, students are learning how to stay safe and help others during emergencies through hands-on lessons, demo with local first responders, and creative educational materials like safety guides and infographics.
“Engaging students in emergency preparedness is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in community safety,” said Noel Guttman, Chautauqua County Director of Emergency Services. “When young people understand how to respond in a crisis, they become powerful partners in resilience—and they bring those lessons home to their families. This partnership is building a safer Chautauqua County, one student at a time.”
In addition to Emergency Preparedness and Protecting Our Water, the CHQ Kids Care website now features student-created content on Life On Land—including local tourism, ecosystems, conservation, sustainable land use, and healthy living—with sections also highlighting lake life, watershed protection, and sustainable water use, all of which will continue to expand as students develop new topics.
“This project shows exactly how powerful media can be when placed in the hands of our youth,” said Justin Gould, Chautauqua County, Media Information Officer. “These students are using creativity, storytelling, and real-world collaboration to inform and uplift our community. It’s innovative, it’s inspiring, and it proves that when we give young people the tools and trust to lead, they rise to the occasion in extraordinary ways.”
Another exciting environmental initiative is the Watershed Warriors Project, where students are taking an active role in understanding, protecting, and advocating for the health of our local waterways. Students will think globally and act locally as they become advocates for watershed health, engineers in the AWWA Water Tower Challenge, and innovators inventing prototypes to combat harmful algae blooms and invasive weed overgrowth.
In addition to this work, CLCS continues its 5th grade Drop by Drop podcast project, a creative extension of their water cycle unit. As “Water Cycle Investigators,” students explore how water moves through and shapes our world. The podcast episodes are designed to teach and inspire listeners to care for our most essential resource: water.
According to Chautauqua Lake Elementary Principal, Megan Lundgren, “It is important that project based learning doesn’t exist in a vacuum and can positively impact our environment beyond the school building. We are fortunate to be able to assist the county with their vision of having student-created media that not only showcases their creativity, but also serves our larger community.”
The program’s first Partnership Project raised awareness for the National Day of Action: Imagine a Day Without Water, an effort spotlighted nationally in the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Weekly News and social media platforms. Sixth grade students Hadley Olson and Alexis Parker worked with the NYS Section AWWA to create an impactful PSA to educate communities about the importance of protecting our water systems and how essential clean water is to daily life.
“It allows us to challenge ourselves, try new things and see the impact we can make on the world when we see stuff beyond the school walls,” said Olson. Parker added, “Giving us a voice allows us to show issues that are important to us to make an impact on the world.”
Other student participants share that the program has inspired them to think bigger.
“It’s an opportunity for us to expand our minds and share our perspectives, thoughts, and information with the community,” said Eleanor Pender.
“We can help the community and others while we learn, grow and show that we can do anything when we care about what is around us,” added Ella Yonkers.
“This program empowers students to become active stewards of their community through CHQ Kids Care plans to grow into additional areas of community need, from supporting local wellness initiatives to developing emergency preparedness campaigns and conservation projects. Fostering the partnerships between schools and community organizations, CHQ Kids Care is proving that young people don’t just care about their world—they’re ready to change it. “The vision is clear,” added Schuster. “When students are trusted to lead, their impact ripples far beyond the classroom.”
Chautauqua Lake Superintendent Dr. Josh Liddell praised the initiative, noting its value for both students and the wider region.
“CHQ Kids Care demonstrates the impact students can make when they bring classroom learning into real-world situations,” Liddell said. “Through projects that promote kindness, environmental responsibility, and civic engagement, our students are developing their leadership skills while giving back to our great community. We’re proud to support a program that not only strengthens our schools, but also contributes to a stronger Chautauqua County.”
By connecting classrooms and student groups across districts, CHQ Kids Care empowers students to turn their ideas into meaningful action—showing that when young people lead with heart, the entire community benefits. Other schools are invited to join the program, contribute projects, and help expand the CHQ Kids Care website as a shared platform for student-led learning and community engagement. To explore student-led projects in emergency preparedness, environmental stewardship, and more, visit the CHQ Kids Care website at chqgov.com/KidsCare.
