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Pasadena Unified promises more post-fire mental health support as school year begins
Pasadena Unified School District put on trainings for teachers focused on "wellness" at Pasadena High School ahead of the new school year.
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Elly Yu
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Topline:
Pasadena Unified School District officials say they’ve expanded mental health support for students as they return to school Monday, seven months after the Eaton Fire.
The backstory: Nearly 1,000 students lost their homes in the fire in January. Five campuses were also destroyed or severely damaged, district officials said, and cleanup is still ongoing, including at schools that are open.
What’s new: PUSD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said the district’s starting this school year with students’ mental health in mind. “We have to really make sure that their social well-being is OK so that they're ready to learn,” she said. “I think our teachers always connect with students first, but this year some of our students may need more support and connection than they have in previous years.”
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Expanded support: Blanco said the district recently hired a crisis counselor, and has new “MTSS” — or Multi-Tiered System of Supports — coordinator positions to support teachers in meeting students’ social and emotional needs. MTSS is a series of gradually escalating responses to help students according to their needs. The district is also offering free teletherapy for students outside of school hours.
Relocated schools: Several schools had to relocate after the fire, including Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and Altadena Arts Magnet Elementary. Blanco said the district got more portable classrooms over the summer for Eliot Arts Magnet, which is now at McKinley School, and Altadena Arts Magnet, which is currently at Allendale Elementary.
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