To Our Camden School Community,
The winter months can be some of the most challenging months regarding mental health and wellness in all areas of life.
With the well-being and mental health of our students standing as a top priority, the Camden Central School District would like to take this opportunity to remind our students and families of the supports available to them if they are struggling at any time.
Whenever a parent or student raises a mental health concern to us, we want our students and families to know that we are here to support all students.
Each member of our school community can play a role in our response by informing the proper personnel if they observe, or are experiencing signs of a social conflict or mental health crisis. Students and parents can contact their Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, School Counselor, School Social Worker, School Psychologist or Teacher in order to have these matters addressed.
We want our students to know they are not alone, and help is always available. When anyone within our school community comes forward with a concern, we will connect with the student(s) involved, and partner with the student and family until the issue is resolved.
The following range of action steps may be taken when a school employee is notified of a concern:
Meet directly with the student to create an understanding of their experience and offer support.
Investigate the matter and speak to students and parents of those involved to determine a course of action for the future.
If building administrators find that a student has been mistreated by their peers, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
Contact the parent of the student to inform them of the matter at hand, along with next steps towards resolution.
Bring students together to conduct a mediation in the event of a social conflict.
Offer the student the opportunity to receive ongoing mental health supports in the form of counseling during the school day with a school counselor, social worker, and/or psychologist.
Offer the student the opportunity to receive additional supports with our community mental health partners at The Neighborhood Center, CFLR (Center for Family Life and Recovery), ICAN (Integrated Community Alternatives Network), Come To The Table Counseling, etc.
We have also taken the following proactive steps to inform students about the importance of mental health, empower them with options in the event of difficulty, conflict, or crisis, and identify students who may be in need of assistance as soon as possible:
We utilize the BIMAS-II Mental Health Screening Tool three times annually to help our team identify students who may be in need of assistance.
We have DASA (Dignity For All Students Act) and conflict resolution lessons delivered in classrooms by social workers.
We provide our students with weekly Social and Emotional Learning Lessons focused on positive self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
We have a monthly character education focus in our school buildings, with positive reinforcement for model behavior in accordance with the theme for that month.
Our District offers socialization groups and various clubs that students can join to connect with other students in a healthy way. Ask the School Counselor about what opportunities are available.
The District maintains a strong relationship as a partner district with Connected Community Schools. CCS, in its second year at Camden, maintains its own comprehensive network of community partners across the region in case a student needs additional support.
The District has brought in numerous guest speakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by social media. Presentation content has included an emphasis on the negative consequences that behaviors such as cyberbullying can have on the health and well-being of their peers.
We have enhanced the strength in numbers for our student support team in the last year by creating new positions for School Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers and CCS Site Coordinators throughout the District. We have also added a Dean of Students position at Camden Middle School and Camden High School to give students an additional direct point of contact to administration and offer additional support to students in need.
We are continually exploring additional opportunities to ensure we provide the most robust program of mental health support and crisis response that we can offer here in the Camden Central School District.
If a student mentions that they are struggling, and are considering harm to themselves or others, we ask that you treat their concerns with the utmost level of care and attention. These matters must always be taken seriously.
Please contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or the Crisis Text Line. If texting, send the word “HOME” to 741741.
The responding individual should also take a moment to contact their school building administration to give them the best possible opportunity to support the student as they work through a difficult time in their life.
Please refer to the chart below for more information on how to directly support students who may be at risk of harm.
We thank our students, staff, and community members for their continued partnership in protecting and supporting our students.
Dr. Ravo Root
Superintendent of Schools
