School Reopening, Student Emotional Support Discussed During Oswego BOE Meeting

OSWEGO – The return of in-person instruction and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) were main topics discussed during last night’s Oswego City School District Board of Education meeting, Tuesday, January 19.

The meeting began with community comments read out loud during public session, several residents addressing the future return of students at school. Parents and caregivers expressed concern about the social, emotional and educational harm extended remote learning is having on the students.

Superintendent Dr. Mathis Calvin III addressed residents’ apprehension, including conversations circulating around Oswego for reasons to why in-person instruction has not been reestablished.

Calvin reiterated the district’s continued work in bringing students back, pointing out the complexities every district is dealing with concerning COVID-19.

“I want to be clear that the district is committed to bringing back our middle school students and our high school students. Because of the pandemic, some things have been pushed back, but we are working very diligently to move our plan along and get students back right away, as soon as we can,” Calvin said. “Please note some of the information we heard that was circulating in the public – that there are no plans in the works. That is not true. If folks go on and watch the last couple of board meetings, you will hear that plans are certainly in the works. Currently, there are 30 stake-holders who have been working together, gathering and really planning on trying to bring our students back, especially our middle school first, and then at the high school.”

The superintendent said information regarding reopening plans will be sent out shortly, illustrating reinstatement strategies for public awareness

A slide presentation about Social Emotional Learning (SEL),  was also given by Director of Student Services Dr. Robert Duffy during the meeting.

Social Emotional Learning applies the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, while also setting and achieving goals, feeling and showing empathy for others, establishing and maintaining positive relationships and making responsible decisions.

Duffy explained the increased need for emotional support during the COVID-19 crisis, especially with extended remote learning and diminished social interaction; also adding that the SEL support team is working diligently to meet all the needs of students during this crucial time.

The web of support included in the SEL program includes school counselors, psychologists, social workers, school administrator staff, teachers and outside agencies.

The SEL program works in a three-tiered level, including the following:

Tier 1 – this level is for all students including the following:

• K-12 SEL lessons in the District’s Counseling Plan
• Leveled Websites
• 1-1 Counseling for all students 6-12
• Email alerts
• Office hours
• Semester Survey (9-12)
• Check and Connect (7-12)
• Wellness Wednesdays (7-8)

Tier 2 – This level is for some students including the following:

• Attendance check-in (9-12)
• Grade check-in (9-12)
• Attendance AND grade check-in (9-12)
• Individual/group counseling (K-12)

Tier 3 – This level is for a few students including the following:

• Individual specific meetings with student and family
• Mental Health Clinic – now virtual
• Individual counselor meetings

Duffy ended the presentation emphasizing the role of everyone working together to extend and maintain emotional support during this challenging time.

“I wanted to sum this up with something the World Health Organization just put out; ‘keeping each other safe and connected is everyone’s responsibility,’” Duffy said.

Other topics covered during the meeting included updates on the Capital Emergency Project, a preview of the Proposed 2021-22 school budget, and an educational report overview.

The Capital Emergency Project will hold a contractor pre-bid meeting scheduled for January 25, a bid opening on February 2, followed with an information and presentation time during the next board meeting, February 9.

The proposed 2021-22 budget includes a summery of $71,126,821, a difference of $2,913,637 from the 2020-21 budget of $68,213,184. The numbers shown are preliminary amounts and are subject to change in the coming months.

The Educational Review covered the STAR Screening Data Program, an online test given to students last September and early October. The overview statistics do not cover any effects from regular instruction, and are broken down between in-person and remote learning groups.

All items on the board agenda were unanimously passed. BOE meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of every month starting at 5 p.m., and can be viewed on the district’s WBUC YouTube channel. To view last night’s agenda, click here.

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