Prioritizing Social-Emotional Wellness

Although Rochester Community Schools remains a high-performing and well-loved district, it has not been immune to tragedy. The entire community, like so many others across the country, has been impacted by suicides, drug-related deaths of former students, and reports of student anxiety and depression.

In a heartbreaking account, Michelle Young, stepmother of Zachary Young, a 2013 Stoney Creek High School graduate who lost his battle to opioid addiction in 2017 said, “I would have never have imagined being with this blonde little boy, taking him to the park, riding bikes and selling lemonade, that his story would end the way it did.”

“Throughout America, students are experiencing a rising tide of social and emotional challenges,” said Bill Daggett, Ph.D., founder and chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education. Rochester Community Schools is fortunate that district leaders are creating a comprehensive behavioral health continuum to address this growing challenge. I am extremely impressed with their proactive leadership on behalf of their students.”

Deepening learning to become trauma-informed, trauma-resilient leaders

In February 2019, the district moved purposefully from information gathering to action.

“As the district moves forward, great care and thoughtful consideration is displayed to ensure the work is sustainable and systemic,” said Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Debi Fragomeni. “Through extensive education and training, we are building our capacity to support a trauma-resilient community. We are also shifting the culture to remove the stigma associated with mental health. Our children need to know that it’s okay to ask for help.”

RCS formed a task force to evaluate the types of programs currently in place, study organizational best practices, and create and execute a plan to promote positive social-emotional wellness and resilience.

In order to better understand varying perspectives regarding the challenges facing today’s youth, the district hosted a roundtable discussion with congressional, judicial and law enforcement appointees, regional celebrities, medical professionals, academic experts, students and families.

Then, after attending educational meetings and researching programs that support social-emotional learning, the task force recommended inviting subject-matter expert and author, Shenandoah Chefalo, to a staff professional development session. Chefalo connected the task force to the Center for Trauma Resilient Communities to lead the type of systemic change needed within the district.

“I applaud Rochester Community Schools’ commitment and dedication to building a trauma-responsive and trauma-resilient culture. Through compassion and accountability, this community is working to improve the overall organizational health and effectiveness for its students,” said Chefalo. “By embedding and embodying this work, RCS will have an incredibly positive impact, not only for students, but for staff and the whole community at large."

Teachers, administrators and staff continue to receive extensive training through the Center for Trauma Resilient Communities. But this training serves as just a beginning.

Partnerships are important for success

The district is thankful for those community members who have graciously reached out with additional opportunities and support to continue the journey with fidelity.

The Rochester Community Schools Foundation, the Rochester Rotary, and other private donors generously contributed to the district’s initial efforts to provide training for all teachers and administrators. The City of Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett also connected Dr. Shaner with an opportunity to advocate for all students at a White House summit in Washington, D.C., where the focus was on transforming mental health treatment to combat homelessness, violence and substance abuse.