The Why: Identifying the Issue
In a 2012 Community forum, residents reported “concern about teens dealing with ‘stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, drug-related violence, untreated mental illness’.”
2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
“indicated high rates of prevalence involving self-injury, bullying, binge drinking, prescription drug misuse” at Middle school level and
“High school […] rates for underage drinking, illegal drug use and eating disorders were 2-6% higher than state and national averages”
“The district [had] experiences a sharp increase in students hospitalized for mood disorders, personality disorders, self-injury, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and substance abuse.”
Source — Project AWARE Fact Sheet
The What: Securing a Systemic Approach to Behavioral Health in Our Schools
Grant Quick Facts:
- The School Climate Transformation Grant (SCTG) is a 5 year grant that began in school year 2014-2015. The grant will end in September 2019.
- It is a nation-wide grant with recipients in all 50 states and U.S. Territories.
- Only 2 other Massachusetts districts received it: Newton and Hampden-Wilbraham
- In Reading, we also partner with the town and its SAMSA-based grant Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education (AWARE)
The How: Integrating Academics & Behavioral Health
MTSS is a comprehensive, integrated, three-tiered model of prevention.
So that... Students can find success academically, socially, and emotionally.
Post-Secondary Outcomes
Continuing education includes: 4 year colleges, 2 year colleges, apprenticeship programs, career education programs, college prep schools, and other schools.
Also look for the follow-up Youth Risk Behavior Surveys that were presented to School Committee to see some of the successes -- as well as some areas to grow--that students have identified in the past couple of years.
Some highlights from the 2017 survey:
- Substance abuse has been reported to have lessened in some areas, including binge drinking.
- Connection to adults has increased, especially among younger students.
- Students report that negative stressors like busy schedule and work loads remain an increasing problem for them.
- Sleep differs a lot by age -- nearly two-thirds of middle school students get 8+ hours of sleep, while only a quarter of high school students do.
The next YRBS Survey is set for 2019.
What is MTSS?
MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is the framework that Reading Public Schools use to ensure high quality instruction and accessible interventions for all students to thrive in their academic and social emotional development.
Reading Public Schools District Core Values
Learning
Supporting
Growing
Wonder what universal supports are available to all students?
District Curriculum Accommodation Plan - Available Here-- DCAP.PDF
Have an MTSS question?
Contact Courtney Fogarty at courtney.fogarty@reading.k12.ma.us
CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS
The primary concern of Reading Memorial High School is the preparation of students to be literate, skilled, creative, healthy, competent and informed citizens-appreciative of the arts; capable of critical thinking and problem-solving; and able to function intellectually, emotionally and physically within a complex, interdependent and pluralistic world.
The Core Values that guide all members of the RMHS Community and all of our actions and decisions are:
RESPECT
RESPONSIBILITY
PERSEVERANCE
SCHOLARSHIP
Parker Middle School Core Values
Kindness
Community
Personal Best
Coolidge Middle School Core Values
Perseverance
Accountability
Respect
Teamwork
Barrows Core Values
Be Safe
Be Respectful
Persevere
Collaborate
Birch Meadow Core Values
Present
Kind
Safe
Responsible
Respectful
Joshua Eaton Core Values
Practice Compassion
Act Responsibly
Work Towards Success
Show Respect
Killam Core Values
Trustworthy
Respectful
Responsible
Fair
Caring Citizens
Wood End Core Values
Responsible
Respectful
Engaged
Honest
Safe
RISE Preschool Core Values
Respect
Inclusion
Safety
Effort