Community responsibility

Student safety is the first responsibility entrusted with the leaders of the school district with oversight by the local Board of Education. Education is a whole community responsibility. How the public views safety in schools is cultural. "Shared beliefs and values" require a community to match those shared beliefs and commit to cultural change.

1. Community members must look at all children and young adults attending our local public and private schools as ours. They are our community members and our responsibility. Challenge the idea that once a child has finished their local elementary, high school or college, that adults are now finished with school.

2. Local public school district and private school leaders (feeder elementary schools with their high schools), and local college leaders engage community members to educate us on what our schools are like in 2018.

• Current understanding of the mental and emotional health and well-being issues or concerns of students that might be a catalyst for a student to act out.

• Explain current services for students, families

• Identify community member expertise for support

3. Write legislation to adapt the Alexian Brothers School Mental Health Services Program placing on-site counselors in schools to deepen support for students. (DH 5.28.2108 "Neighbor")

Erica Nelson

Wheaton