EDUCATION

Ellwood schools look to help with students' mental health needs caused by pandemic

Nicholas Vercilla
Ellwood City Ledger
Ellwood City Area School District officials are working to address mental health issues or concerns students may have, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ELLWOOD CITY — Kindergarten to second-grade pupils in the district feel like they have yet to experience a regular school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

North Side Primary Principal Dan Parson said that was one of the results that jumped out to him from a recent survey given to Ellwood City Area School District students regarding schooling.

During a recent school board committee meeting, many district officials said it has been a trying few years in the district due to the pandemic.

Hartman Intermediate Principal Frank Keally said during the beginning of this school year alone, he has seen more students deal with anxiety, depression and acting out than he has ever seen in his career, something that was agreed upon by other district principals and officials.

“I’ve seen more kids acting up than ever before,” Keally said. “Kids are back (in school). They’re not used to following rules.”

More: The pandemic changed American education overnight. Some changes are here to stay.

Therefore, district officials discussed ways to help students with their anxiety and depression.

District psychologist Jaimie Rennie said the district is in the process of setting up a social-emotional screening for all students, K-12, to help determine any barriers to learning for each student, and to help them through those barriers.

Parson said he is working on setting up an occupational therapy program for North Side, while Keally said he is looking forward to students having a Halloween parade and party later in the month, which will be good for social interaction and a sense of normalcy for the students.

He also said he is closely looking to address the emotional needs of both students and staff during this time.

District Superintendent Wesley Shipley said he will be asking the school board, during its regular meeting on Thursday, to approve an agreement with Rivers School Therapies to hire a part-time behavioral specialist/counselor for students, stating it is greatly needed for them.

More: Students returning to school after COVID-19 facing scarce mental health resources

Shipley wanted to thank all school nurses for not only taking care of the students, but for being in constant communication with district parents/guardians.

He also wanted to thank all principals for not only looking after students, but taking the responsibility to conduct contact tracing for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

“I’m proud of all the things we do for the kids in this community,” Keally said.

While Shipley said he understands the stress students are facing, he said the district will have no tolerance for a recent online trend done by students across the country, mainly on TikTok, where students intentionally vandalize school property for attention.

More: TikTok trends lead to punishment at Hopewell Senior High School

He said if students are discovered doing this, the district will be pressing charges against them.

Nicholas Vercilla is a staff reporter for the Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He can be reached at nvercilla@gannett.com.