Above all else as we approach the beginning of the 2018-19 school year, we are committed to strengthening and restoring an emotionally healthy and safe learning environment at each of our schools.
Last week, the Santa Fe ISD Board accepted the recommendations of the Santa Fe Strong Safety and Security Committee and approved the donations for the installation and use of metal detectors in Santa Fe ISD schools. They also made no changes to the current student dress code, but instead charged the staff and administration responsible for working with students and their families to consistently enforce the dress code at each of the schools.
To date, the following Safety and Security life-safety priorities will be in place for the 2018-19 school year. The priorities include: Hardening the Schools, Policy Changes (training, communication), and Mental Health and Wellness Support Services.
Mental Health and Wellness Support Services.
- Adding four new counselors: Because of a state grant, SFISD is adding additional counselors to the high school staff to focus on behavioral and mental health concerns. School counselors should have more time to devote to the mental health needs of students. In addition to academic counseling, there is a need to ensure counselors are trained to and available to focus on behavioral and mental health issues.
- Coordinating Mental Health Responses’ efforts intended to support and encourage the transformation of the May 18, 2018 traumatic experience into a process of rebuilding for the individuals, families, school district, and the Santa Fe community.
- Opening the Santa Fe Strong Resiliency Center, a partnership of the City of Santa Fe, the Gulf Coast Center, the Texas Children’s Trauma and Grief Center and others in the Santa Fe community, to provide mental health services to those impacted by the events of May 18 at no cost to those who take advantage of the services.
What’s ahead?
Please look for a Santa Fe ISD district-wide safety information meeting notice for parents planned for early August. More detailed information will follow.
The safety and security of our students and staff is our highest priority. Our work continues and will require ongoing community-wide support, as well as patience and cooperation from families and staff as we implement these safety measures. We encourage our parents and families to take the extra time this summer to rest, relax and recover.
We also want to remind you about the availability of the Resiliency Center and the resources provided for our community. The Resiliency Center serves as a free long-term resource for healing the Santa Fe community. The Center’s caring professionals provide a safe and supportive healing environment dedicated to everyone affected by the incident. As a referral hub, the Center works with partner agencies that provide spiritual care referrals, training, advocacy, legal aid, equine therapy, recreational therapy, and more. The Resiliency Center is open daily, and for more information, contact the center directly at 409-218-7129 or email cgaylord@ci.santafe.tx.us.
I am very proud to be able to serve this caring community. Thank you for your continued support for our students and staff.
Together we are Santa Fe Strong!
Dr. Leigh Wall, Superintendent of School
