The proportion of Sonoma and Creekside high school students who selected a 4 or 5 on the scale increased from December 2019 to January 2024 to 41% from 36% in participation, 16% from 14% in culture, and 24% from 17% in university and professional preparation. , while it decreased from 37% to 33% in belonging and collaboration between peers and from 28% to 26% 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 having problems, their school has programs or services that can help them. , compared to 22% in January 2022. The share of high school students who strongly agree or agree with this item also increased over the period, from 38% to 44%.

“Secondary level students have access to various support staff, including counselors, school psychologists and mental health clinical staff,” said Camille Garcia, school district social worker. “School programming has also been expanded to raise more awareness about seeking support and how to do it.

“We have been empowering student voices to lead the way in creating more school-wide opportunities to destigmatize students’ mental health and seek help for experiencing challenging situations.”

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

“They have put in countless hours and been very committed to their work,” Winders said. “We have also had incredible leadership in this work with our superintendent (Jeanette Rodríguez-Chien). She is on campuses, meeting with students and staff, listening to students in empathy circles, and interacting directly with students about their feelings, needs, feedback, and making sure 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 see them as whole people. “It is a team effort to make sure our students know and feel how much we care about them.”

The survey shows that the percentage of students at El Verano, Flowery, Prestwood and Sassarini elementary schools who feel positive (on a scale of 1 to 3, where 1 is positive, 2 is neutral and 3 is negative) was 82% in participation , 42% in academic performance. challenges, 75% in relationships, 21% in culture, 59% in instructional methods and 33% in belonging.

“We are pleased to see that students report 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 overall, the survey also shows that elementary, middle and high school students feel happier and more relaxed than in 2023.

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

Beall said the Youth Truth Survey is valuable because it allows the district to track progress on several measures annually and therefore identify areas of strength and needed growth.

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

“Such people can also express clear thoughts and ideas about the best way to move forward in a given area.”

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

“You have to do the job carefully and move forward,” he said. “That is the work that is being done and the work that must continue. “It’s about being honest at work and being willing to recognize when something isn’t working, and then fixing it while making sure we include the voices of those who historically haven’t been included or given a seat at the table.”

Contact reporter Dan Johnson at [email protected].