SoHum School Board Discusses Mental Health Response to Problems in Their Area, COVID Outbreak at the Junior High and More

The Southern Humboldt Unified School District (SHUSD)On May 12th, the Southern Humboldt Unified School District (SHUSD) held their monthly board meeting at South Fork High School. District staff, as well as Amy Terrones from the Family Resource Center in Redway, presented the board with a mental health showcase before the typical board duties proceeded.

-Sarah Wilson, the District Psychologist, along with Redway Elementary’s School Counselor, Christina Perez, Family Resource Center’s Executive Director, Amy Terrones, Bridge to Success’s Carolyn Albee and Jessica Cook, presented the board with compelling accounts of the struggles the district faces, and the work being done to overcome those challenges.

Perez told the board that our rural area affects the county response to child welfare needs. Perez said in her last job she had access to multiple avenues of help when it came to student welfare and mental health, however, she’s not seeing that in Southern Humboldt. “In the other districts closer to town, when you make a report like that, they’re at the school that afternoon. We’re not seeing that here,” she said.

In spite of having a large caseload with little resources and assistance, Perez says she’s not letting the hurdles derail her. “It’s been really overwhelming; it’s been such a huge challenge in my career. But I love it, …this is why I became a counselor, …because I really do want to help,” she stated.

Wilson said, “The stark difference of the response is very striking,” when comparing the resources available to districts closer to the county seat.

However, when asked if other rural districts are having the same issues, Albee stated, “It’s not just Southern Humboldt, it is county-wide.”

Staffing issues seem to be at the heart of the issue, making outlying areas more difficult to serve. Board Member Collett Fenske said, “But we’re part of the county too.”

Board President, Cinnamon O’Neill-Paula, asked the presenters if there was something the district as a whole could do to close the gap ensuring access to services for students in the Southern Humboldt district.

Cook said that the district needs to “be the squeaky wheel” when dealing with the county. Perez also suggested that when hiring school counselors, to seek those with specific qualifications to help close the gap in services.

Terrones said that the district staff has been advocating for the students for years and will continue.

Perez highlighted the work she’s been able to do at Redway Elementary

, working on student-to-student social interactions as well as student-to-teacher interactions. In addition to creating multiple friendship groups at Redway, Perez has worked with the students of Whitethorn to create an anti-bullying campaign.

Perez has also been coaching the teaching staff on interactions and the PBIS system that SHUSD is implementing throughout the district. The Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports system focuses on creating the social and cultural supports needed to positively change student behavior and classroom/school culture.

“We have a lot of places where we’re missing stuff, but we have a lot of beautiful things going on too,” Perez told the school board.

Miranda Junior High Principal, Forrest Cord, in his first year at MJH has been struggling to address behavioral issues with little resources and a staff stretched thin. Earlier in the year, parents raised a red flag at the behavioral issues happening on the MJH campus, sending letters to the board about their concerns.

Since that time, Cord and his staff have been able to start the implementation of the PBIS system on the junior high campus. He has also been working with Humboldt IPA (Independent Practice Association) on social interactions to curb behavioral issues. The collaboration delivered the ‘Young Men’s Council’, a student group. Cord said that during the trial, behavioral issues decreased significantly. With the trial a success, Cord plans on collaborating further with Humboldt IPA for the upcoming school year.

Cord praised his staff in his monthly report to the board:

In the face of all of the challenges this year the teachers at Miranda Junior High have been consistently stepping up and working as a team to meet those challenges head on. I cannot thank our teachers and classified staff enough for all that they do. We are continuing our work to implement PBIS at the junior high level and are excited to keep that moving forward. We still have a lot of work to do but we are making progress.

The SHUSD board and staff seem to recognize the necessity of addressing and correcting the behavioral issues and needs of the district’s students and staff. As they move into the next year with a returning administration staff, the district is hopeful to tackle the challenges they faced in their first year back to full in-person learning since the pandemic began.

Next year the district will be implementing a T-K program throughout the district as mandated by the state. Children who will be 5 by February can enroll for the fall. Currently, Redway Elementary have 15 students signed up for T-K which will be taught by Mrs. Mendes, while Casterlin and Whitethorn both have one applicant each.

The district continues to move forward to meet the state requirements for Universal T-K throughout public schools, though like many districts, are concerned about staffing and space at already existing sites. Redway Elementary Principal, Julie Steinle, informed the board that she’s working on addressing play structure requirements and class placement. UTK programs have stricter guidelines when it comes to class size and playground equipment – a challenge for the district but one they say they are handling.

District administrators attended a virtual job fair recently and plan to attend another in June. The district received over 50 applicants and are posed to fill the vacant positions for the 2022/2023 school year.

South Fork High School Principal, Jennifer Mayhew said the high school is only in need of one elective class teacher in order to have a full staff for the next year between the new hires and the staff that moved from MJH to SFHS.

The district received one application for a bus driver position though the district is in dire need of several more to accommodate the vast array of bus routes throughout the district. Individuals interested in becoming a bus driver for the district can contact Tori Miclette at the district office or click here. No training is necessary, the district will provide training to the applicant.

The board is looking to fill a seat on the five-person board due to a vacancy. The vacant position term, once filled, will end in December 2024. Those interested in the vacant position need to submit an application by June 3rd. The board will interview and appoint the position on June 17th.

In addition, three board seats are up for election in November of this year. Those seats are currently held by Collett Fenske, Brandy Bremer and Christine Doyka. Collett Fenske informed the board that she will not seek another term. Bremer and Doyka plan on running in November for an additional term.

Those interested in running for the board in the November election should contact the Humboldt County Office of Elections.

Also of note: 

After the resignation of former SHUSD School Board President, Jessica Willis, the Board Clerk, Cinnamon O’Neill-Paula is now the Board President. A motion was made to appoint Brandy Bremer to the role of Board Clerk, the motion passed unanimously.

The board approved the week of May 16th-20th as Classified School Employee Appreciation Week. Board President O’Neill-Paula said, “Thank you to all of our classified employees for the good work they do,” while Cook said she feels that classified employees are “the boots on the ground”.

South Fork High School:

Invitations to summer school has been mailed out. This year, summer school will be in session from June 21- July 29, Tuesday- Friday, 8:30 – 12:30. If you haven’t received an invitation but believe your student may need to attend, contact the high school secretary.

The Spring Sports Awards will take place at the South Fork gymnasium on Tuesday, May 24th at 5:00 pm.

Senior Awards Night is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1st at 5:00 pm.

South Fork High School students will have finals on June 8th and 9th.

Miranda Junior High:

The junior high has been experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. Close to 20% of the student population was in isolation due to testing positive for the virus last week. Two junior high teachers also tested positive for the virus, creating a staffing shortage that the admins struggled to rectify.

Aside from COVID, the staffing issues at MJH are improving. The site is still looking to hire an elective teacher and to find additional substitute teachers that are available to fill in on the MJH campus.

The 8th grade field trip is still needing funds for their year-end trip. Parents are diligently fundraising to make the trip a reality.

Redway Elementary School:

The Redway Elementary School has filled the vacant dedicated instructional assistant positions to ensure an aid in every classroom.

The elementary school is looking to hire two additional teachers to add to the Redway School Team in order to keep class sizes lowered.

The school will be hosting Summer School for 4 weeks starting on Tuesday, June 21st, ending Friday, July 15th. Summer School hours will be from 9:00-12:00, Tuesdays – Fridays. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Contact the school secretary for more information.

Casterlin Elementary School:

3rd through 8th grades will be starting CAASPP testing on May 16th. The 5th and 7th grades will be completing the Physical Fitness Testing.

Casterlin High School:

The seniors are currently on their Senior Trip to Disneyworld with Mrs. O’Hara.

The school will be taking a field trip to the Blue Ox Millworks and the Sequoia
Park Zoo and Skywalk on June 3rd.

-The Equine Science class is watching an autopsy of a horse before learning about nutrition and feeding for performance and the economics of running a horse business.

Whitethorn School:

The students are headed to the Shelter Cove tide pools on May 20 for an educational field trip.

Whitethorn School is looking to expand their K-6 program to include 7-8th grades if there’s enough community interest. If you are interested in enrolling your 7th-8th grade student in Whitethorn School for the 2022/2023 school year, contact the school’s secretary.

Graduation Week:

Wednesday, June 8th at 5:30 p.m. – Redway Elementary School’s 6th grade promotion.

Wednesday, June 8th at 6 p.m. – Casterlin Elementary and Casterlin High’s graduation ceremony.

Thursday, June 9th at 10 a.m. – Whitethorn School’s 6th grade promotion.

Thursday, June 9th at 6 p.m. – Miranda Junior High’s 8th grade promotion.

Friday, June 10th at 6 p.m. – South Fork High School and Osprey’s graduation ceremony.

The next SHUSD board meeting is scheduled for June 16th at the Redway Elementary School gymnasium at 4:30 p.m.

This article is written by Lisa Music, a local freelance journalist. To reach Lisa about tips, questions or comments, email her at [email protected].

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Waterdog
Guest
Waterdog
1 year ago

I hope we are addressing the fact that a lot of the parents to these kids are experiencing life changing shifts in how they make their money. As legalization squashes out the last of the local growers the stress on the streets and cafes are palpable. Can you imagine the stress at home as prices fall, fines and costs grow? I fear for the mental health of all of our growers facing extinction. It’s not just the kids that need extra mental help right now or we’re all gonna be going to the funerals all too soon.

Kato
Guest
Kato
1 year ago

Thank you, Lisa and Kym, for this report. The district should just link to your article for archiving the minutes!

Respect and appreciation to everyone for the enormous effort this year demanded: staff, students and families continue to struggle with the losses we’ve suffered since 2020– academic and social skills in our classrooms but also financial collapse and distrust of authority on a wider scale. The loss of friends and family members through death, divorce or political divide has also taken a toll.

The pandemic glaringly highlighted problems that already existed in our district. Humboldt has the highest ACEs scores in California, and our rural terrain is part of the issue. Schools are often the “first responders” for those conditions. Prioritizing mental health is an overdue step in the right direction. Thanks to everyone who’s made efforts to keep school a safe, supportive environment for learning.

Lou Monadi
Guest
Lou Monadi
1 year ago

An Open Letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom from California Policy Center’s Parent Union

It turns out that our teens were not as ‘resilient’ as California’s teachers unions, proponents of long-term school lockdowns, portrayed them

“Dear Governor Newsom,

As you repeatedly remind us to “follow the science” on COVID-19, we have little doubt you’ve already seen the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) report on the devastating impact of extended school lockdowns on our nation’s teens. The bottom line: Two years of isolation, anxiety and stress have produced a severe mental health crisis among America’s teenagers.

According to the CDC, more than one of every three high school students experienced poor mental health; two in five high school students report experiencing emotional distress; nearly half of students felt persistently sad or hopeless; and, shockingly, one in 10 high school students attempted suicide.

It turns out that our teens were not as “resilient” as proponents of long-term school lockdowns, including California’s teachers unions, portrayed them. In fact, while the nation’s youth were the least vulnerable to becoming severely ill or dying from COVID-19, they were perhaps the most vulnerable population for mental health distress during the pandemic.

Sadly, teens were at the bottom of the list to be protected. Schools were closed down for a year and a half, sports and extracurricular activities were put on hold, parks and beaches were declared off limits. Is it any surprise these high school students were depressed?

Who was looking out for their interests during California’s unnecessary and prolonged COVID-19 restrictions, which were some of the most restrictive in the nation and among the last to be lifted?

Governor, while you were meeting with the teachers unions to accommodate their demands, the state of California ignored our teens’ fundamental needs. While your children were attending in-person, private school, the state’s union-controlled schools were locked down until Fall of 2021.

Your policies — and your refusal to stand up to California’s teachers unions — are responsible for these grim statistics. Each one of these “numbers” represents a teen struggling because you put politics before common sense. You let our children languish while teachers unions leveraged the pandemic not to help educators, students or families, but to flex their political power.

At California Policy Center’s Parent Union, we are hearing from parents, students and educators who are coping with the fallout of your unnecessary school lockdowns. We are sharing the stories of Californians in their own words, to shine a light on the traumatic impact your policies have had on them.”

Read more @:

https://californiaglobe.com/articles/an-open-letter-to-gov-gavin-newsom-from-california-policy-centers-parent-union/amp/

Woke Gavin newsom did that!

Last edited 1 year ago
Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
1 year ago
Reply to  Lou Monadi

Great post, Lou! Kids all over the nation have been hurt by the school lockouts that teachers unions engineered to protect union members. It could not have happened so widely if most parents had not been so compliant, ignorant, distracted, and disorganized.

John smythe
Guest
1 year ago

‘Brainwash education makes us the fools.’ ‘Tell the children the truth.’ Robert nesta marley. For mental health kids should be told about COVID TOTALITARIANISM. everyone should be educated about the global pandemic treaty and what these banker machinations are really all about. https: //rumble.com/v14dott-who-world-health-order-are-we-really-dealing-with .html “The World Health Organization has started drafting a Global Pandemic Treaty on pandemic preparedness that would grant WHO absolute power over global biosecurity, such as the power to implement digital identities / vaccine passports, mandatory vaccinations, travel restrictions, lockdowns, standardized medical care and more.” Don’t blink for the comment period which is all of June 15-16 hahaha I don’t think they’re very interested in hearing any comments… Fact check it along with ‘our’ Department of Homeland Security’s new Disinformation Board- for peace of mind. Mental health you know. If any of you educators are reading this why don’t you try guiding students to check out the upcoming WHO meeting May 22-26, 2022 where WHO is seeking to be given complete sovereignty over the people of the United States and of the world…SO THEY CAN CHECK IT OUT FOR THEMSELVES instead of having your brainwashed filters censoring everything they are exposed to “for their own good.”

deadmanwalkingwmd
Member
deadmanwalkingwmd
1 year ago
Reply to  John smythe

The real crime is that they had to stay home and listen to nut jobs like you and Lou Monadi.

elvis costanza
Guest
elvis costanza
1 year ago
Reply to  John smythe

Do you see anything just a tad ironic about pushing paranoid conspiracy theories in a discussion about mental health?

Xebeche
Guest
Xebeche
1 year ago

T-K….????

Lisa Music
Guest
Lisa Music
1 year ago
Reply to  Xebeche

Transitional Kindergarten.

Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous
1 year ago

There is also a covid outbreak at casterlin right now. My son got it from his teacher who commutes from eureka. Haven’t seen or heard any reportings about it, just wanted to give the community a heads up…

Dirty
Guest
Dirty
1 year ago

They should probably take a good hard look at Disney channel and all the damn transformer (transgender) kids and you’ll find bout all of the mental health problems in the district the rest are early bloomin tweekers. Robots in disguise. ( That’s deep think about it)

Rebecca Apple
Guest
Rebecca Apple
1 year ago
Reply to  Dirty

Disney is great! So r transgender kids! However and unrelated there are mental health needs in the district whats scary is parents afraid of liberal propaganda making their children gay and using demeaning labels to refer to school children as upcoming tweakers or something grow up plz.
-Rebecca