Safety & mental health initiatives Sept. update

Below is content about safety and mental health from Principal Tarance Hart’s “welcome to the 2024-25 school year” email on Sept. 2, 2024. (The full email sent to families touches on several other topics related to the beginning of the year.)

 

This year, we recommit to the core values embodied in our mission: One Garfield. This guiding principle underscores our dedication to fostering a school environment where every student, every family, and every staff member is not only valued but actively supported. Our challenges, particularly the heartbreaking loss of our beloved student, Amarr Murphy-Paine, have deepened our resolve to stand united as a community. One Garfield symbolizes our steadfast commitment to ensuring every student has the resources and opportunities necessary to thrive.

New and Enhanced Supports

In partnership with Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle, Garfield will benefit from several new initiatives aimed at enhancing student safety and well-being:

• Expanded Community Partnerships: We are partnering with the Seattle Community Safety Initiative (SCSI), which includes organizations such as Community Passageways, SE Safety Network/Boys & Girls Club, Urban Family, and the YMCA. Garfield is prioritized in getting these community partnerships on board, and the district is working on an expedited Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with these organizations to ensure that support is available on campus as close to day one as possible. These community-based organizations will bring their expertise directly to our campus, offering resources, intervention services, and ongoing support to our students and families. Their involvement is crucial in creating a more connected and resilient school community.

 

• • Violence Intervention Specialists and Case Management: As part of this partnership, Garfield High School will have dedicated violence intervention specialists on campus who will work closely with students to provide support, mediate conflicts, and help prevent future tragedies. This case management support will be available to assist students and families with resource navigation, connecting them with essential services and support systems. These specialists are part of a broader effort to ensure that our students feel safe, supported, and able to overcome any barriers to academic and personal success.

 

• • Safe Passage Program: The Safe Passage Program will be expanded to ensure that students have trusted individuals to help them navigate safely to and from school. These individuals will provide immediate safety interventions and serve as a reliable, long-term presence for our students.

 

• Additional Security Specialists: In response to the need for enhanced safety, Seattle Public Schools is assigning two additional security specialists to our campus, bringing the total to four. These additional security specialists will be on campus starting day one, ensuring immediate support and a secure environment for all students and staff. Their presence is part of a district-wide effort to reinforce school safety, particularly in response to our challenges this past year.

 

• Increased Presence of Seattle Police Department: The Seattle Police Department will increase its presence around Garfield during critical times, including lunch and after school. This collaboration will help create a safer environment while fostering trust within our community, starting day one.

 

• Enhanced Mental Health Support: The City of Seattle is investing in hiring additional mental health counselors and care coordinators to provide in-person support for students needing mental health services. This initiative will increase access to critical mental health resources, ensuring that students receive the care and support they need to thrive both academically and personally.

 

• Family Resource Fund: We are also introducing the Family Resource Fund, a separate initiative supported by the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD). This flexible fund is designed to assist students and families at the highest risk of gun violence. The fund will provide essential support, including clothing, food, utilities, and transportation, helping to alleviate the burdens that can interfere with students’ ability to focus on their education and well-being.