Student and staff well-being is a priority, and the district is preparing to support them as they transition back to school following the extended closure. As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships and supporting students with the transition back to school. Social-emotional learning lessons will be embedded in the curriculum and in staff professional development opportunities to support the unique needs that families are facing during this pandemic.
Supporting students
Counseling staff will work with teachers and parents to develop individual plans for students who have difficulty associated with transitioning back to school. Counselors will conduct screenings for identified students using the Social, Academic, Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS) assessment.
Counselors will assist teachers in incorporating social-emotional learning activities into their classrooms. Social-emotional learning activities will be built into students’ day-to-day routines. For example, there will be built in breaks where teachers take students outside to play games or participate in activities while adhering to health and safety guidelines.
The district will additionally communicate resources and information to parents. An informational sheet/flyer will be developed for parents to help them identify trauma/emotional related signs in their children. This resource will also recommend whom to contact within the school for assistance. Community resources will be compiled in order to provide parents and staff a list of available mental health, behavioral and emotional support services and programs in our area. Counseling staff will be able to assist in making referrals.
Social emotional well-being and learning will be an ongoing priority for counselors and staff. Staff will work closely together to identify individuals having difficulty transitioning back to the school environment. Pupil Personnel staff will work closely with teachers and families to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.
Supporting employees
Faculty and staff members’ social-emotional needs will be supported by engaging in related activities during staff meetings, grade level meetings and department meetings.
The following professional development opportunities will be provided to faculty and staff for the continued support of students and themselves:
- Self-Care: coping and resilience strategies for students, faculty, and staff
- How to identify signs of trauma/emotional distress in children and adults
- Trauma Sensitivity-review of adverse childhood experiences and their impact on children
- How to incorporate SEL activities into the classroom (suggested ideas, activities, etc)
Comprehensive School Counseling Program Plan
The district will review its school counseling plan and update it as needed to meet current needs. The FFCSD School Counseling Office K-12 Comprehensive Counseling Plan is updated with a pandemic response. The plan includes tiered levels of support.
The district will establish an advisory committee to engage in shared-decision making to inform the comprehensive school counseling plan. The committee will include, but not be limited to, administrators, counselors, social workers, school psychologist, teachers, parent representatives, community partners and board of education members.
The district will establish an annual process for gathering, reviewing and responding to data allowing for ongoing program development that is directly responsive to student needs.