District leaders plead for help with student support
Justin Murphy – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle USA TODAY NETWORK on 9/27/21
With school back in person five days a week for the first time since March 2020, the Rochester City School District is trying not only to address academic gaps but also to respond to students’ trauma and mental health concerns – some of which have resulted in an uptick in violence in secondary schools.
East High School Superintendent Shaun Nelms warned the school board Thursday that the time away from school has ruptured relationships and created problems among students. More social-emotional support is urgently needed, he said, to prevent serious fighting in school.
“With the last 18 months being in COVID, we’re seeing an increase in gang-related activity and potential issues and I think it’s something we can’t ignore,” he said. “We need some intervention for students coming to us with trauma.”