Happy August. Let us hope that the forecast will be a long dry Fall. At this writing we have done no haying. Even though our haying is minute compared to others, we are behind like everyone.
We had our last House Session for the fiscal year on June 29. It was a short eventful day of either concurring or not concurring on bills that went to the Committee of Conference (House and Senate members for the purpose of reconciling differences on a bill).
Fourth of July was a great day even though it was partial rain. Thank you to all of the Fourth of July Committee, Police, Fire, Emergency, and all other volunteers for all their hard work in putting together and realizing success. Without each and every one of you the day would not have happened.
The Merrimack County Republican Committee had a booth. Thank you to everyone that helped put up the tent, volunteered at the booth, and were in the parade. Each of you made it a great day. Even though it was raining, one of my joys of the day was during the parade. What a joy it was seeing all the children lined up in the street in the rain watching and enjoying the parade.
A subject regarding education and our public schools that keeps emerging, and I feel needs much thought and discussion by everyone, is students’ mental health and where it belongs in our public schools. The mental health of children is extremely important and needs to be addressed, but each of us should ask when and why did mental health assessments and services become a major part of public education?
Many schools have SEL (Social Emotional Learning) classes and is embedded in the curriculum. We need to ask questions: Do all students need this? Are personnel that administer mental health services adequately qualified with advanced education, clinical training, or ability to prescribe medication when necessary?
What does SEL do to students that do not need it? Is the social emotional teaching declining academic outcomes in such subjects as math and reading? In New Hampshire there are many experts in mental health care outside the classroom. Why aren’t we utilizing these resources?
Are there ethical guidelines in place in our public schools? Are children being counseled and are parents notified? There is not enough space in this article to place all the questions on this subject.
On another note regarding public schools, I recently read that RSA 193-H:2 states, “schools shall ensure that all pupils are performing at the proficient level or above on the statewide assessment.” How many students in our public schools do not meet the proficient level in math or reading or both? What are we going to do to make sure their education improves to bring them up to the proficient level or above in math or reading or both?
With this RSA in place we need to make sure it is applied. Ask your Superintendent or School Board how they interpret the law and what they are doing to comply with the law?
If I can be of help please let me know: Representative Louise Andrus, 406 Raccoon Hill Road, Salisbury, NH 03268, or l.a.andrus21@nullgmail.com, or 603 648-2510.