Wellbeing

From  Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impacts of COVID-19 on America's Students (US Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights)

OBSERVATION 6 (K-12 and postsecondary): Nearly all students have experienced some challenges to their mental health and well-being during the pandemic and many have lost access to school-based services and supports, with early research showing disparities based on race, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identity, and other factors. 

Understanding the Dimensions of Wellbeing

It is paramount that we understand mental health is an extension of physical health and the two work in tandem.  The ability to regulate one's emotions and behavior is key to staying in control and experiencing positive wellbeing.  The Tippecanoe School Corporation has attempted to mitigate many of the Wellbeing concerns students are experiencing due to Covid-19 and remote learning.  However, problems related to Mental and Physical Wellness, Lack of Communication Skills, Lack of Social Connections, and Negative Attitudes and Behaviors still affect some students.  The linked pages provide possible solutions for some of these remaining Wellbeing issues.

In addition, consult these resources:

• TSC Wellness Frameworks

• TSC SEL Re-entry Guide

• TSC Common Language Guide

Addressing  Students' Social and Emotional Needs

TSC has adopted an approach to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) that is based on the book Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky A. Bailey. This approach addresses the adult’s mindset and skill set first, and then empowers adults to effectively teach life-changing SEL skills to children. The goal of using the Conscious Discipline approach in TSC classrooms is to help children reach their full academic and social potential while learning lifelong SEL skills that foster goal achievement, self-regulation, empathy, responsible decision-making, and overall well-being.  

MHS Student Services Resources

The McCutcheon High School counselors assist with academic, career,  personal, and social concerns.   Personal concerns include adapting to high school life, managing personal emotions,  and facilitating positive social interactions with peers and teachers.   Counselors are available in emergency situations to help with problem-solving and working through social concerns.  The counselors can also help connect students to various extracurricular activities that match up with their interests.   

MHS Counselors:

Kristi Kendall - Department Head

Natalie Betz

Ebony Gilbert

Kelly Roseman

Jennifer Smith

Tonia Withers

Specific Programs:

McCutcheon High School offers two credit-bearing programs that assist not only with academic concerns but also with the social-emotional concerns that arise for students.   

1. The Mav Launch program helps 9th grade students who might struggle to find a footing in the large building. Classes in the Mav Launch are small in size to enable students to form closer relationships with their teachers and peers. 

2. The JAG program is an opportunity for students in Grades 11 and 12 who might be lacking a support system and may need a more closely connected class in order to learn soft skills.  The program also offers regular check-ins on academic performance. 

Valley Oaks:

MHS partners  with Valley Oaks to serve students who need a school-based caseworker.  A Valley Oaks caseworker meets with at-risk students who qualify for this service to help them navigate the social/emotional concerns that arise throughout the day both in the classroom and throughout the building.

The FOR Club:

The FOR Club is a student-led program that helps to connect students in a variety of ways. The FOR Club supports students who are new to McCutcheon through providing new-student check-ins and to students who report bullying by providing peer mediation. 

The New Student Orientation/Mentors Program:

The New Student Orientation/ Mentors program is led by Mr. O'Shea and Mrs. Caldwell-Hopkins . Student mentors reach out to our incoming freshman at the start of school to provide a peer connection and provide programs like Freshman Orientation. 

Diversity and Inclusion Resources

This Padlet includes lesson plans, curriculum designs, book lists, Ted Talks, podcasts, and other resources for topics related to diversity and inclusion. 

Videos and Podcasts created by the LIT Team in 2020-2021 to address diversity and inclusion at MHS:

• Sadie-Harper Scott,  TSC Diversity Coordinator

• Perrell Lucas,  1992 MHS grad 

• Cassie Salazar, 2013 MHS grad

• Ashley Smith, 2003 MHS grad

• Chad Young, MHS/GLCA FACS Teacher

• Brandon Clifton, 2001 MHS grad

TSC Human Resources:

Anne Marshall, Neuroscience Educator

Megan Ulrich, Mental Health Liaison

Building Champions for Conscious Discipline