What Families Need to Know 

About Social and Emotional Screening at AHS

The AHS mental health team has adopted the Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System (BIMAS-2) to help screen student social-emotional wellness, learning, and development.

APS is currently screening students twice a school year, once in the fall and once in the spring.

The fall screening will be done during students’ H1-Advisory Block on Day / Date (set during screening window). There will be an introduction to the screening with an opportunity for students to ask questions. The screening itself is self-report, easily done via an emailed link, and can be completed on any device. Any student can choose to opt out. Families can also opt out their child from participating (see further information below).

What is social and emotional screening assessment?

Schools regularly screen students in different areas: vision, hearing, learning difficulties, etc. Screening in any area allows for the identification of needs, earlier intervention to address risk factors, and can help students receive support they may require.

Andover Public Schools has embraced Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for a number of years now, acknowledging that core student skills related to setting personal goals, managing emotions, building relationships, and socialization are important for academic success and personal well-being.  In addition, it is important for students to understand their personal needs, including potential support for challenges related to mental health, such as anxiety and depression. While some degree of anxiety and stress is typical, expectable, and developmentally appropriate, some individuals struggle with social and emotional challenges that are outside the norm. 

In the next few weeks, AHS will use a screening tool to help gauge where students are in their social and emotional learning and help them grow as students.

How do we screen?

The Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System (BIMAS-2) has been adopted by the APS mental health team to help screen student social-emotional wellness, learning, and development. This information will be used to assist individual students whose responses indicate they may be in crisis while also helping AHS build and support broader interventions that address social-emotional learning and mental health needs.

In addition, this screening gives the student body a voice to tell us their perceptions of what they need to be successful. It is a powerful tool for students to tell us what they need help with. 

The screening will be done during students’ H1 Block. There will be an introduction with an opportunity for students to ask questions. The screening itself is self-report, easily done via an emailed link, and can be completed on any device. Any student can choose to opt out. Parents/guardians can also opt out their child from participating (see below).

FAQ

Q) What is the screener like?

A) The screening tool has 34 short questions and can be completed in 5-10 minutes. It will be introduced and then administered via an emailed link during H1 block Day/Date (set during screening window).

Q) What areas are covered by the screener?

A) This tool covers five areas: attention/focus, anxiety/depression, student behavior, communication/relationships, and academic functioning. These five areas map onto the five competencies of SEL. (CASEL SEL Framework) Note: Screening tools are not diagnostic. For example, a vision screening does not indicate the need for glasses, but it might highlight the potential need for assessment or intervention. Information from this screening will inform the direction of mental health and SEL interventions at AHS.

Q) Can I opt my child out of the screener?

A) Yes- an opt out form can be completed HERE (active during screening window. If this is your preference, please opt out by Day/Date (set during screening window).

Q) Who will have access to students’ responses?

A) Student privacy is critical. Specific responses will only be shared with APS mental health staff. Individual student themes (i.e. broader needs areas) may be shared with appropriate staff and families when necessary for student learning and support. Aggregate data about the student body will be used to make decisions about instructional programming. 

Q) What if a student’s responses indicate risk?

A) The APS mental health team will be present on site during the screening, able to view student responses “live,” and able to intervene if students indicate the need for immediate assistance. Ample staff will be present if needed to provide support, work with families, and connect a student to appropriate services and resources.

For any questions please contact either:

Dr. Ryan Fielding, APS Clinical Director:     ryan.fielding@andoverma.us         (978) 247-7054

Elizabeth Taylor, Andover HS Interim Principal:      elizabeth.taylor@andoverma.us    (978) 247-5510