Regardless of what the calendar says, it doesn’t truly feel like springtime to me until the forsythia are in bloom. Once these hedges turn yellow, I get the overwhelming sense of renewal that comes along with nature’s reminder that winter is officially over. It’s also the time of year when we consider new opportunities to improve and innovate in our upcoming budget cycle. On April 16, I had the opportunity to discuss some of the features of the proposed 2019 – 2020 school budget with the SOCES/SOMS PTAs. While we addressed several topics, the conversation that excited me the most was centered on how we will enhance the social-emotional health and safety of our school community.
A big priority for our school district is to enhance the health and safety of our school community (Focus Area D). Specifically, the South Orangetown Central School District will support a culture based on high expectations for healthy and safe behaviors while promoting respect and good citizenship. In the 2019 – 2020 school year, our budget will include resources to support the following initiatives:
- Embed SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL learning benchmarks into an enhanced, districtwide, comprehensive Guidance/Counselor Program;
- Improved FAMILY SUPPORT through the Family Engagement Center (FEC) to promote parental engagement and provide support to all our families Pre-K through College;
- ALLOCATION of RESOURCES for students and families will be strengthened by improved support networks. Establish lines of communication to strengthen our student and family support structures internally and by establishing a community partnership to enhance programs focused on mental health, substance abuse and access to related supports.
The work that we do, as it relates to promoting the social-emotional wellness of our students, is supported by “a broad range of evidence indicating that school-based prevention and youth development interventions are most beneficial when they simultaneously enhance students’ personal and social assets, as well as improve the quality of the environments in which students are educated (Greenberg, M.T., et al, 2003).” The SOCSD board of education and the administrative team have considered what these interventions will look like and are putting ideas into action based upon the research. Of particular note is the establishment of Prevention Centers at the South Orangetown Middle and Tappan Zee High Schools and a Guidance Counselor shared between Cottage Lane and William O. Schaefer Elementary Schools. The Prevention Centers will be physical spaces established at the secondary schools dedicated to positive youth development. Each center will be staffed by a certified school social worker who will work with students, staff and families to promote positive youth development, support learning, and positive mental health while preventing substance use, antisocial behavior, and school nonattendance.
At the May 7, 2019 SOCSD Board of Education Meeting, we will have the public hearing for the Annual School District Budget Vote. We welcome any questions or suggestions that you may have to make our excellent school system even better and welcome any suggestions that you may have concerning the school budget and the programs that it supports (also, please remember to vote on Tuesday, May 21, 2019). Thank you!
References
Greenberg, M. T., Weissberg, R. P., O’Brien, M. U., Zins, J. E., Fredericks, L., Resnik, H., & Elias, M. J. (2003). Enhancing school-based prevention and youth development through coordinated social, emotional, and academic learning. American Psychologist, 58(6-7), 466-474.
