Stratham SES team outlines expanded support as student mental-health needs rise

Stratham School District staff presented an expanded view of the school’s social-emotional services (SES) on Wednesday, saying the team now provides a continuum of care from universal classroom lessons to intensive individual counseling and family collaboration.

Presenters described classroom-aligned work based on monthly “SMS essentials” (examples: kindness, perseverance), small-group interventions for students who need targeted skills, and individual counseling for children dealing with grief, anxiety, family changes or trauma. The SES team also described partnerships — a mentor/mentee program, Walk-to-School Fridays, a student-organized food drive and plans to read with residents at a local nursing home — as ways to build connection beyond the classroom.

District staff said the team is tracking incident and screener data three times a year and integrating those measures into the MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) framework to identify needs earlier and target interventions. A school social worker noted the team is seeing students who require longer-term supports than in past years and that the district has increased ties with community mental-health partners and graduate interns to expand capacity.

Board members asked whether the SES data show measurable reductions in classroom incidents; staff said preliminary analysis indicates fewer classroom disruptions in recent years and offered to deliver a specific data summary for the community and to incorporate that information into upcoming outreach.

The presentation concluded with a staff recognition for SES personnel and an invitation for board members and residents to suggest ideas for outreach and reporting.