1. School Connectedness: Obstacles and Solutions (Willmar Workshop) Robert Wm. Blum, MD, MPH, PhD William H. Gates Sr. Professor and Chair Population, Family and Reproductive Health Lynn Michael Blum, MS PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor Department of Mental Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

2. ObstacleSolution Difficult Students Find some area of common interest Time Use class meeting for collectively addressing issues Eat lunch with students Walk down hallways with students between classes Kids are tired, so they don’t talk (have jobs, sports, etc) Encourage parents not to allow their children to work more than 20 hours per week outside of school Express concern over fatigue School Connectedness: Obstacles and Solutions (Willmar Workshop)

3. ObstacleSolution Kids do not take “connect time” seriously Identify what activities would be more meaningful for them Very little time between classes As above, walk down the hallway with students Lack of communication with parents Positive phone calls, emails to parents Faculty and staff are asked to do more with less Make everyone (including students and parents) part of the solution team Financial and economic barriers and not knowing where the kids are coming from Be aware, listen, know community resources that are available for kids and parents, as well as school resources School Connectedness: Obstacles and Solutions (Willmar Workshop)

4. ObstacleSolution There is not enough time in the day to engage with students Catch students before or after school and in the hallways, be present in the hallways and lunch room Class sizes are too large Use more group work, popsicle sticks or cards to include all students Students’ personal situations, backgrounds, etc Ask questions and actively listen to responses Respect students’ personal space and let them choose when to talk; be ready to listen when they do Tell colleagues if you see students are having trouble or, if you feel that you’re in over your head, ask for help School Connectedness: Obstacles and Solutions (Willmar Workshop)

5. ObstacleSolution Boundary lines between teacher and student can get blurred Always remember that you are not their ”friend”, that you are an adult who can help and support them academically and personally Follow through on a continual basis throughout the school year can be a problem Set goals for your self that are small and achievable The lack of physical space to talk with students in private Ask the administration to find a small space that can used for that purpose Academic versus personal connections Remember that, as an adult, your role is to use personal engagements a vehicle toward academic achievement Take the time to demonstrate that you care Go to student activities outside of school School Connectedness: Obstacles and Solutions (Willmar Workshop)

6. ObstacleSolution At times attitudes of students are difficult to penetrate Be persistent, positive Criticism of student work, at times is seen as a personal attack Start feedback with positives before providing critical feedback Some students consume a lot more time when sharing, than is their ”due” Set a timer for discussion each morning; rotate those who take the lead The difficulty, at times, of balancing curriculum and personal connection with students in a 48 minute class Choose an intentional time, such as at the beginning of the class; provide personal notes on essays Too little time at lunch to connect Discuss with administration, expanding lunch from 17 minutes to 30. School Connectedness: Obstacles and Solutions (Willmar Workshop)

7. ObstacleSolution Announcement in classes can be obstructive Limit announcements to the beginning or the end of the hour Dealing with destructive students Use non-aggressive strategies such as teaching at the sight of a disruptive student; provide public compliment and private criticism Lack of awareness of cultural variations Attend trainings in predominant cultures within a school, celebrate cultural differences Lack of knowledge of impact of mental health on classroom achievement and behavior Engage mental health providers in providing training School Connectedness: Obstacles and Solutions (Willmar Workshop)

8. ObstacleSolution Negative school climate (low budget, feeling overwhelmed and feeling unsupported) Take time for staff development, staff outings Adult comfort with openness and creativity Form a school wide support committee to discuss and implement new ideas More expectation and fewer staff to accomplish the task Engage volunteers, realize the value of non-educator adults in the school. School Connectedness: Obstacles and Solutions (Willmar Workshop)