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Dear Friends,
We’re now more than a couple of weeks into the new school year, and I hope you’re as optimistic about this school year as I am. Hopefully, this summer break served as a good recharge for returning to the classroom. As a father of four, I know it’s hard to say goodbye to those warm summer days and nights, but there’s vital work to be done at all levels in our schools and on the Council to help support your educational and social-emotional needs.
To kick off back to school this year, I had the privilege of joining Northwood High School cheerleaders and staff to welcome students back to class with a clap-in celebration.
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As an Education and Culture Committee member, I am always interested in the needs of our more than 160,000 students and 20,000 staff members throughout our county’s public schools. As well as the needs of our more than 160 private schools. While we’ve begun to rebound in some ways from pandemic-related challenges, many persist, like the mental health crisis amongst our students and staff. We must take our students' social, emotional, and mental health needs seriously. According to some of the most recent data by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, more than a third (37%) of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 44% said they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year. However, I’m encouraged to see that Montgomery County Public Schools is continuing its work to keep mental health support top of mind for our students. Earlier this month, the Montgomery County Board of Education met and discussed our students’ mental, medical, social, and educational challenges while highlighting how Montgomery County Public Schools is ramping up its response to these challenges. The county now has social workers at each of its 26 high schools to support the mental health needs of our students. MCPS also plans to open wellness centers at all of its high schools this year, which was championed by my colleague Councilmember Nancy Navarro.
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Also, it’s excellent that MCPS has partnered with Our Minds Matter, a nonprofit that focuses on mental health and suicide prevention among teenagers. The program is a peer-to-peer, student-led club where students have a space to discuss their mental health. So far, there are 17 high school chapters in the school system and two middle school chapters. Resources like this are needed in our schools now more than ever.
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We also know that MCPS teachers need support to avoid early career burnout. It’s evident what’s at stake if we don’t address this issue. Montgomery County Education Association President Jennifer Martin has noted there is a 53% increase in resignations and retirements among MCPS staff. We must ensure that our teachers aren’t hitting burnout stages in their careers and that we do everything in our power to help retain and support a strong workforce of educators.
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I intend to further address the mental health needs of our students here in Montgomery County as the Council reconvenes and continue to highlight the social, emotional, and mental health needs of our students and staff through my work on the E&C committee. I look forward to finding more ways to expand and make mental health help more accessible in community schools. Although issues persist, I’m optimistic and have no doubt our students will take their learning to greater heights and shine this school year.
You can find more mental health resources for students here.
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