Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Wellness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District expands restorative-practice supports and highlights school mental-health services
Summary
Staff described year-two implementation of restorative practices, more peace rooms and tiered mental-health supports; presenters said fights and bullying reports have declined and highlighted counselors, mental-health clinicians and restorative-justice TOAs as core supports.
District staff told the board on Oct. 24 that they are deepening restorative-practices implementation and expanding mental-health supports across elementary and middle schools.
A district presenter described year-two efforts to build restorative circles, peace rooms and accountability projects. Susie Riley and other wellness staff highlighted a multi-layered approach: tier-one universal supports (classroom social-emotional learning), tier-two small-group and counseling supports, and tier-three clinical interventions including threat assessments when students are suicidal.
Staff said data from the Healthy Kids survey and site reports show meaningful declines in fights and reported bullying at middle schools, and principals gave examples of students resolving conflicts through restorative processes. The district also reported pilots of restorative TOAs at several elementary sites and a continuing emphasis on attendance support linked to wellness work.
Trustees asked about caseloads, the number of students accessing wellness centers and how the district tracks utilization; staff said clinician and social-worker caseloads are tracked but that wellness-center sign-in systems vary by site and could benefit from alignment. Staff agreed to develop a clearer picture of need versus capacity to identify shortfalls.
Trustees commended staff and shared anecdotes about students receiving timely help through counselors and social workers. The board did not vote on the presentation but requested follow-up data on utilization, caseloads and gaps between need and available services.
