The proportion of Sonoma and Creekside high school students selecting 4 or 5 on the scale increased from December 2019 to January 2024 to 41% from 36% in engagement, 16% from 14% in culture and 24% from 17% in preparation for college and career. , while decreasing to 33% versus 37% in peer belonging and collaboration and to 26% versus 28% in relationships.

Additionally, 39% of Sonoma Valley and Creekside high school students surveyed in January 2024 agreed or strongly agreed that when they feel upset, stressed, or have problems, their school have programs or services that can help them, up from 22% in January 2022. The share of middle school students strongly agreeing or agreeing with this item also increased over the period, from 38% to 44 %.

“High school students have access to several support staff, including counselors, school psychologists and mental health clinical staff,” said Camille Garcia, school district social worker. “School programs have also expanded to increase awareness about seeking support and how to do it.

“We are empowering students to lead the way by creating more school-wide opportunities to destigmatize student mental health and seek help to deal with difficult situations. »

Winders praised Beall and the district’s wellness centers and staff for the progress they’ve made in helping more students feel supported.

“They put in countless hours and were very committed to their work,” Winders said. “We have also shown incredible leadership in this work with our superintendent (Jeanette Rodriguez-Chien). She is on campuses, meeting students and staff, listening to students in empathy circles and engaging directly with students about their feelings, needs, feedback and ensuring they have a voice and feel heard.

“I think our students see, feel and, most importantly, believe that they are important to us and that we consider them as whole people. It is a team effort to ensure our students know and feel how much we care about them.

The survey shows that the proportion of students at El Verano, Flowery, Prestwood and Sassarini elementary schools who felt positive (on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being positive, 2 neutral and 3 negative) was 82% in terms of engagement, 42% in terms of academic engagement. challenges, 75% in relationships, 21% in culture, 59% in teaching methods and 33% in belonging.

“We are pleased to see students reporting high levels in the areas of engagement and relationships,” Beall said. “As an elementary team, we will continue to delve deeper into the areas of culture and belonging, particularly in the area of ​​positive peer connections. »

Beall said that in general, the survey also shows that elementary, middle and high school students feel happier and more relaxed than they did in 2023.

“This is important because we know that emotional well-being is closely linked to academic success and overall development,” she said.

Beall said the Youth Truth survey is valuable because it allows the district to track progress on multiple measures on an annual basis and thus identify areas of strength as well as needed growth.

“While having a mechanism to provide anonymous feedback, like Youth Truth, is an integral part of our improvement process, it is equally beneficial to provide opportunities for more open feedback through processes like listening circles,” she said. “They allow more detailed experiences and thoughts to be expressed to lead to a better understanding of a particular individual’s experiences.

“These individuals are also able to express their thoughts and clear ideas on how best to move forward in a certain area. »

Winders said when addressing issues of concern, the district must be specific, thoughtful, intentional and inclusive.

“You have to do the work carefully and follow through,” she said. “This is work in progress and work that must continue. It’s about being honest in your work and being willing to recognize when something isn’t working and then fixing it while making sure to include the voices of those who historically haven’t been included and n ‘didn’t have a seat at the table.

Contact the reporter, Dan Johnson, at [email protected].