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Understanding School Connectedness
School connectedness is the quality of students’ engagement with their peers, teachers, and learning environment. While it is crucial for achieving optimal student outcomes, the desire for connection goes beyond academics. It is about creating a sense of safety and security, fostering an environment where students can develop a passion for learning, and feel they belong in their school community.
Belonging as a Community Value
Like school culture, student belonging cannot be left to chance; it must be cultivated intentionally. Belonging encompasses feeling welcomed, known, accepted, involved, heard, and supported. These dimensions often overlap, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of belonging—what you give to a group is as important as what you receive.
Research suggests that stronger school connectedness and peer acceptance is associated with better academic outcomes and lower rates of depression, bullying, and risk behaviors. Connectedness is a community value that requires collective effort. Each of us can contribute to improving connectedness in our schools through small, intentional actions every day.
The Current Climate
The 2023 Metrowest Adolescent Health Survey highlights the current state of school connectedness (Health and Connectedness Surveys Here and Regional Health Survey Here). At Curtis Middle School, 70% of students felt close to people at school, 69% felt like part of the school, and 55% were happy to be there. Mental health trends are critical to monitor, as school is the most common source of stress for 48% of youth, followed by appearance and social issues. While these figures align with regional trends, they indicate room for improvement.
Particularly concerning are the disparities in mental health challenges among different groups. Females, LGBTQ+ youth, and students with disabilities report higher levels of mental health issues. Similarly, Hispanic/Latino and Black youth report higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts than other racial/ethnic groups.
Tangible, Actionable Steps to Improve Connectedness
Students who view their teachers and school administrators as fostering a caring, well-structured learning environment with high, clear, and fair expectations are more likely to feel connected to their school. The School Committee should take intentional steps to enhance connectedness among students. Here are specific actions I advocate for:
- Comprehensive LGBTQ+/Gender Identity Policy: Implement policies that ensure the safety and security of all students, creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.
- Inclusive Mentality: Foster an inclusive mindset from the outset by examining existing processes and policies for bias.
- Oversight of Connectedness Surveys: Provide oversight of actionable and measurable responses to the annual Connectedness Survey, ensuring that feedback leads to meaningful change.
- Prioritize Mental Health: Foster a positive school environment by prioritizing mental health training for staff, increasing access to counseling and support services, and promoting open communication about mental health.
- Update the School Equity & Mission Statements: Ensure that the equity statement reflects current values and commitments to inclusivity.
- Listening Sessions for SPS Families: Engage with SPS families to understand their experiences and address their concerns.
- Clear Communication and Enforcement: Clearly communicate and enforce all policies, including codes of conduct and anti-bullying, anti-harassment, and anti-discrimination policies, with robust reporting mechanisms in place.
- Complete Equity Audit Recommendations: Follow up on the July 2022 Equity Audit (Equity Report here) recommendations related to connectedness, such as conducting climate surveys with race and gender-specific focus groups to create a more hospitable environment, especially for Black and transgender students.
- Ongoing Commitment: Schools must incorporate an inclusive curriculum and provide staff training on gender inclusivity, disability awareness, race, and religions, including antisemitism prevention.
Students form connections with people before they connect with institutions like schools. The relationships they build with teachers, administrators, and even the School Committee are central to fostering school connectedness. By addressing student concerns through thoughtful policy and goal-setting, we can anchor the student experience in connection, a core value shared by our community.
***This article is part of a series to allow voters insight to what I will advocate for as a SPS School Committee member. I have also written articles on after-school care, curriculum, and class-size. For more information about my campaign, please visit www.Sues4SPS.com.***