Lesli Myers-Small Statement

Moussignac, Patrick
From: Superintendent's Office <[email protected]>

Sent: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 6:11 PM
To: Superintendent's Office
Subject: Comprehensive Outline and Action Steps to Address RCSD Health and Safety Issues
Attachments: ATT00001.txt
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Lesli C. Myers-Small, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Rochester City School District
131 West Broad Street
Rochester, New York 14614
[email protected]
www.rcsdk12.org
November 3, 2021
Dear Rochester City School District Community,
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to present significant challenges in schools across the country.
Superintendents of other urban school districts have shared concerns about student conduct, social-emotional and
mental health, an increase in acts of violence occurring outside of schools, and staffing shortages. We are not alone.
Over the past few weeks, a narrative about our schools has been created that depicts our schools and our scholars
negatively. Disruptions happen in schools, and while they are not acceptable, the way in which we speak about our
students has a lasting impact on them, our families, and this community.
Our schools are also impacted directly and indirectly by these factors. Below is a comprehensive outline of the steps we
have taken to date and our continued efforts moving forward.
Student Conduct
• Utilizing the District Code of Conduct with fidelity to facilitate consistent and equitable practices in response to
student misconduct.
• Increasing partnerships and efforts that support greater engagement and supervision of students during high
needs times.
• Identifying and adjusting strategies for increased supervision within buildings, including establishing systems and
expectations for student transitions, arrival, dismissal, and other times where disruptions are prone to occur.
Social-Emotional and Mental Health Supports

• Aligning resources to provide targeted support to schools, students, and the community, and professional
development to staff, while expanding multi-tier support services. This helps to ensure outcomes for safety,
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social-emotional learning, mental health, and attendance for every child will improve so students feel a strong
sense of belonging, love, and care.
• Created a Student Support Services Resources Guide for school leadership teams to utilize during crisis.
• Developed and adopted a Revised Code of Conduct on June 24, 2021, as Policy 1400, which governs the conduct
of students, all school personnel, parents, and other visitors when on school property, while traveling in vehicles
funded by the District, and while attending school functions. RCSD Code of Conduct Plain Language Summary
2021 has been translated into four different languages that can be accessed on the website: Spanish, Nepali,
Swahili, and Arabic.
• The RocRestorative team has held several Virtual Staff Support Circles to address staff needs, where they can
engage in learning surrounding the impacts of the pandemic and the ways that individuals respond, react, and
recover.
• Developed the Comprehensive SEL Guide for students, parents, staff, and administrators, which provides
detailed information regarding social-emotional supports, prevention, and mental health supports available
within the District for all stakeholders.
• Provide employees with access to district wellness supports, including NexGen Employee Assistance Program
(EAP)® and Telehealth Services through Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.
An Increase in Acts Of Violence Occurring Outside Of Schools

• Assessed and revised individual school security plans and modified dismissal procedures for: Dr. Alice Holloway
Young School of Excellence, East Lower and Upper Schools, Franklin Lower and Upper Schools, Joseph C. Wilson
Foundation Academy, Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School, Northeast College High School, Northwest Junior
High at Douglass, School of the Arts, and School Without Walls. Security plans/dismissal procedures for the
remaining secondary schools will be adjusted as necessary.
• Review of the security procedures at All City High was conducted and new measures were implemented in
response to the incidents outside the campus.
• Installation of lockdown buttons at several campuses have been completed. This mechanism is to alert students
and staff to follow lockdown procedures. It also initiates a call to 911 advising that the building is in lockdown,
caused by a threat within the building.
• Reviewed the District’s safety equipment inventory in order to replace outdated equipment.
• Coordinated with the Rochester Police Department to support arrivals and dismissals at our middle and
secondary schools. Families and staff were surveyed this week on whether they want this service to continue.
The Board of Education will vote on the resolution to have RPD outside of schools at arrival and dismissal on
November 9, 2021.
• Safety and Security mobile units are on special detail throughout the District to provide an immediate response
to situations. In addition, an independent security firm has been hired to offer services outside of school
buildings.
Staffing Shortages
• Held recruitment events throughout the community, including Saturdays at the Public Market, RochesterWorks
Hospitality Virtual Job Fair, and multiple open interview events at Central Office and the Hudson Transportation
Center.
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• Increased the compensation and benefits of staff members in the RTA, RAP and BENTE collective bargaining
units, including incentives, signing, and referral bonuses.
• Deployed additional resources to school buildings to assist with coverage and supervision, including Central
Office staff and an increase to the substitute allocation allowed at schools.
The mission of the RCSD is to foster students’ individual talents and abilities in a nurturing environment of equity. In
order to make this happen, I am asking for your support. It is time for us to partner and problem solve to develop
solutions. I am launching a Community Action Initiative, where we will address the issues impacting our schools. Our
work begins this Saturday, November 6 at the Franklin Campus, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
I look forward to working with you to change this narrative to uplift our students, supports our staff, and creates a safe
and high-quality learning environment.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lesli Myers-Small

Superintendent

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Moussignac, Patrick

From: Superintendent's Office <[email protected]>

[External email – use care when clicking on links or attachments]

Lesli C. Myers-Small, Ed.D.

Dear Rochester City School District Community,

Social-Emotional and Mental Health Supports

An Increase in Acts Of Violence Occurring Outside Of Schools

Dr. Lesli Myers-Small

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