Lincoln-Way D210's social emotional task force helping students

At the beginning of the year Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 implemented a social-emotional task force to assist students through this year's transitions.

Aimee Feehery, director of curriculum and instruction, gave a presentation during Thursday's board meeting.

The SEL task force has given students surveys to determine where they are mentally in different aspects.

The effects on the students were recognized last spring and the task force, which consists of the schools' PPS directors and social workers, worked throughout the summer to provide students with these resources.

The team partnered with Panorama Education to help supply the surveys.

One of the surveys showed that 50% said that time management has been the hardest part about completing school work during blended learning.

Designated spaces to work, technology and internet access were the least of the issues at 8% and 9% of students.

To help students, special agendas were created that allowed students to split up their in-person and remote learning days.

In another survey, 69% of students said they are receiving enough help with school work. The Panorama Education system can also allow drill down to individual student data and address their needs.

The survey also showed that 12%, mostly freshmen, feel there is not an adult at school they can go to for help. School counselors were able to reach out to those students within days, Feehery said.

Students' needs will be addressed throughout the school year.

"The back to school surveys have been informative and useful, especially in light of our circumstances this fall," Feehery said.