Board and superintendent discuss Hope Squad program uptake and campus signage

Board members raised concerns about the pace of implementation for Hope Squad, a peer-support curriculum the district uses to equip students to assist peers who may signal suicidal ideation or other crises. A board member said the program “is kind of just not chugging along like it should be,” and urged administrators to prioritize getting students into the peer-support groups and installing campus signage. The board member said the lack of signage and other implementation issues were preventing the program from operating as intended. Superintendent Dr. Mendez responded with a program clarification: Hope Squad trains students to recognize warning signs and support peers, but the squad members themselves are not necessarily students who have suicidal ideation. “Hope Squad is a curriculum that helps the students who are in Hope Squad… they are there to be able to assist their peers on campus, should there be suicidal ideologies,” Mendez said. He emphasized the curriculum’s role in peer intervention strategies. Board members requested that administrators ensure the program is implemented and that signage and other campus supports be provided so students can access the resource. What’s next Superintendent Mendez and site administrators were asked to prioritize Hope Squad signage and implementation steps; the board member asked staff to ensure the program is visible and functioning on campus.