April 20, 2024
Minutes for General Meeting, September 13, 2023
Held at Park Ridge Community Church
Nan Parson called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.
Nan welcomed attendees and introduced our new intern, Mira Schrieber, who is a senior at Maine South High School.
The topic for tonight’s meeting is a concern in the community over youth behavior both in and outside of school. “Our September and October meetings are focused on this topic with a panel discussion focused on schools in September and public spaces in October. We envision this as a start of a community-wide discussion on how to work together to better meet the social and emotional needs of adolescents and foster a culture of respect and care for others.
LINK TO VIDEO OF PANEL PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION:
Ginger Pennington shared that youth are coping with social pressure and the effect of the pandemic. A recent survey of teacher and administrators indicates that times are more challenging. Nationally, bullying has increased especially cyber bullying. These challenges affect students, parents, teachers and the community.
Ginger then introduced the panel:
· Mary Wilson, School Counselor, Elmhurst School District #205
· Janess Nikols LCPC, Psychotherapist
· Jennifer Briggs, LCSW, Therapist, Co-owner, Briggs Therapy Group LLC
· Dr Pepi Silverman, Executive Director, Bridge Educational Advocacy
Jennifer Briggs and Janessa Nikols detailed challenges teenagers are dealing with:
· hormones,
· relationship shifts
· Who am I?
· How do I fit in?
Bodies are changing
general uncertainty
increase in self-consciousness.
Some may be dealing with transgender, nonbinary issues especially when their gender is not in sync with their bodies.
Cognitively there is an emotional side and a logic component.
Teenagers need help to develop a sense of self. They do not yet have skills to deal with challenges. Some of these skills do not develop till the 20s, so they lack self-control and are often impulsive.
How do we determine stress vs mental health issues? We need to note how young people are expressing themselves and moving forward. Many are using gaming, drinking, or misbehaving to express their frustrations. In addition, 20% may have ADHD, autism, epilepsy and other issues. Each individual processes difficulty at a different rate. Making friends, having conversations, dealing with bullying are concerns for this age group.
Jennifer Briggs noted that there has been an increase in depression among youth. 40% indicated they were persistently sad and 30% had trouble with school. Suicide is the second cause of death in adolescents. Girls especially are affected by sadness. Between 2011 and 2021 the sadness rate increased from 21 to 29% for boys, 36% to 57% for girls and 70% for LGBTQ youth.
The pandemic caused disruptions with school, friends and sports. Substance use increased. There were stresses at home with illness and job insecurity. Mental health issues increased. When school resumed there were academic pressures to perform.
We must look beyond behaviors. There are usually underlying causes and issues not being addressed. We need to move from punishment to consideration. Validation and acknowledging what they say, collaboration rather than control and listening to understand are good strategies for parents. Psychologist, Dr. Becky Kennedy suggests “listen, don’t tell”.
The community should offer connectedness, collaboration, service and mentorship opportunities. Bruce Perry, MD, PhD suggests “Kids will do well, if they can”.
Mary Wilson discussed SEL (Social, Emotional, Learning). SEL includes:
· Self-awareness
· Self-management
· Social awareness
· Relationship skills
· Responsible decision making
SEL should be used by all, in schools, at home, in the community. All Illinois schools are required to develop a policy of incorporating social and emotional development into the district’s educational program. In the SEL program students are respected, learn how to resolve conflicts using talking circles, small groups. They learn how to replace bad behaviors, how to apologize, how to perform service. She emphasized “It takes a village”.
Dr, Pepi Silverstone shared her experience working doing advocacy work with families and school districts, building partnerships on the part of students. Each group needs to see each other as resources and requires information sharing. MTSS (Multi Tiered Systems of Supports) replaced RTI (Response to Intervention) whereby students are met with support at their tier. 80% are in the first tier, 20% are in the second tier needing support with reading, math, emotional and social learning where the last 5-10% are in the last tier needing small group and more intensive support.
Dr. Silverstone said that everything we do impacts kids. The SEL program should be reflected in the community as well as in schools. Banners around town can support school campaigns, food stores can offer healthy displays to support lessons in schools.
At the end of the panel presentations the floor was open to questions.
Question #1 If parents think SEL is an intrusion into students’ learnin, how do you respond?
Answer: Pepi Silverstone responded that a survey of teachers showed that academic scores went up while using SEL in the district. It is required in Illinois schools. Adolescents in an emotional state cannot be good students.
Question #2 Middle schoolers may do well in small groups but make different choices in large groups. How can we handle this?
Answer: Identifying with peers is important to them and decision making is left to the group. The desire to belong allows agreeing with the group. They need encouragement to discuss options together.
Question #3 What happens when conflicts occur? How are they handled?
Answer: Mary Wilson responded that often mediation is used. Each is allowed to speak. Each should consider the other’s side. How can the harm be repaired? Groups can help problem solve and bullying is often acting out and can be addressed with compassion.
Question #4 School Resource officers in schools? Have you done research?
Answer: Ms. Nokols offered that today’s authority figures operate differently than in the past. Some may be in plain clothes and may eat lunch in the cafeteria. The success of the SRO depends, very much, on the individual’s ability to connect with young adolescents.
If we want better kids, we need better adults,
From the audience: In the past if we asked for help we were considered weak. Model for kids, we need help, too.
Question #5 If the SEL program gets politicized how do we respond?
Answer from the panel: It is required by law. We can support by listening and offering help in the community. We can ask “What is your fear”? How can this be harmful? Kids need to be ready for life. Skills of respect are needed.
Nan Parson
This is the conclusion of the presentation. This is an important topic in our community. Tonight we’ve created a common base from which we can move ahead to create change. There is a change in D64 Superintendent, which gives us hope that our schools are going to implement more of the methods described tonight. On October 11 there will be another presentation this time about adolescents in the community- in the churches, park district and community at large. Nan urged all present tonight to attend.
Other Committee reports
Environmental
Tim Milburn
There will be a Solar Tour on 9/30 when 18 homes will be available for touring and questions may be asked. www.gogreenparkridge.org/solar.html
In-person--Home Solar Power and Electric Vehicle--On October 12 there will be a program at the Park Ridge Public Library, www.parkridgelibrary.org under Programs
Voting
Chris Parson stated that registrars will begin registering high school students to vote. They need registrars who can go for training.
Next Meeting, October 11
Alissa Goldwasser reminded the group about the next meeting when the Adolescent Issues will again be discussed. There will be presenters and the meeting will be informative.
Chris will also be at the Farmer’s Market giving away oak trees.
Meeting adjourned at 9:04 pm
Respectfully submitted
Kathy Rolsing and Nan Parson