Cleveland City Schools has recently launched the Cleveland Connects initiative after receiving the Stronger Connections Grant. Cleveland Connects is aimed at bolstering social and emotional support for the students, staff, and families of the school system. In September, CCS conducted a survey among parents and guardians of students asking them to select the topics they would like to learn more about. Out of almost 400 responses, the most common requests were for more resources and support in areas such as:
- social and emotional learning
- college and career preparation
- homework and study skills
- understanding and managing challenging student behavior
- mental health support for students.
The Importance of Family, School, and Community Partnership
The development of children and adolescents is influenced by various factors, with the most influential ones being their immediate family, friends, and school environment (Cherry, 2023). When schools, families, and community members work together, they can create a supportive and healthy environment in which students can grow and learn. Supportive relationships with adults and positive childhood experiences can build a student’s resilience and serve as a protective factor against potential long-term physical and mental health challenges (TN Department of Health, 2023). When families, schools, and community members partner together, students are more likely to experience academic success, decreased absenteeism, and enhanced social-emotional skills.
Working Together Towards Wellness
Engaging with families and the surrounding community is of utmost importance for Cleveland City Schools to create a safe and supportive environment for its students. To work together towards wellness, we aim to regularly provide information and resources from our schools and the community to our students' families. The Together Towards Wellness newsletter will be available to all CCS families each month. It will focus on specific topics related to social, emotional, and mental health and well-being. The newsletter will provide links to online resources for additional information and connections to organizations and resources within the surrounding community. CCS is committed to offering educational opportunities to parents and caregivers and organizing family engagement events at every school in collaboration with the community. Stay tuned for the upcoming December edition of Together Towards Wellness and communication from the district and your student's school regarding forthcoming events.
If you have any questions, please contact our Alicia Kahrs, Well-Being Specialist, at akahrs@clevelandschools.org.