Social-Emotional Health of Staff, Students & Families

The social-emotional health of our staff, students, and families is our priority as we reopen our schools. During this unprecedented time, it is now more important than ever to take care of ourselves and each other. Social-emotional health is the foundation that teaches us the skills to build relationships, empathy, and resiliency. The following describes how we will work together to support the social-emotional health and well-being of staff, students, and families.

In general:

• Schools will coordinate with families, school staff, and community and State resources to assess and assist in the psychological and emotional recovery and well-being of staff and students:

• In partnership with mental health partners, we will develop and implement universal social and emotional screenings in order to identify students who need support.

• We recognize that all students have had different experiences from COVID-19 and not everyone in the school will be in the same place. We are prepared to validate that some students are disappointed, some had fun, some are grieving, some are exhausted from added responsibilities at home, some have experienced trauma and some preferred remote learning and are reluctant to return.

• We will establish a process, including community, social services and mental health partners, to help identify and provide support to students or staff at potentially higher risk for significant stress or trauma from COVID-19. We will consider:

  • Those who have experienced a death

  • Those with significant disruptions to their lifestyle (food insecurity, financial insecurity)

  • Those with a history of trauma and chronic stress or pre-existing mental health problems

  • Those with exposure to abuse and neglect

  • Those who have experienced significant anxiety, depression and/or suicidal ideation

• We will develop social emotional supports for the potential of schools re-closing and/or a need to stay home and isolate due to exposure to the virus or becoming infected with the virus.

• We will teach students how to screen themselves, take care of themselves and protect themselves during COVID-19.

• We will explain, in a developmentally appropriate way, to students why school looks different and how changes are linked to individual, family and community safety.