Understanding Student Needs

Why: Top of mind for parents and leaders is how to reopen schools while keeping kids safe from COVID-19. Plans for reopening likely address cleaning and disinfecting, wearing masks, reducing class sizes, social distancing, electives, breakfast/lunch, screening, and the list goes on and on. However, we all know that a student’s needs go well beyond basic safety. Schools will also need to ensure they address the social-emotional health of students. By knowing more about what students are currently experiencing, what they have experienced over the past months, and what they are thinking and feeling about the current situation with COVID-19, teams will be better able to help them cope with stress from the pandemic and be ready to learn.

Outcomes:

• Participants will gain an understanding of Williams Glasser’s theory on Basic Needs or Basic Psychological Instructions.

• Participants will use William Glasser’s Theory on Basic Needs as a framework for understanding stress, behavior and the social emotional wellness of their students.