MUSD Board of Trustees began last night’s meeting honoring teacher Helen Blackwood with a Certificate of Appreciation, before Superintendent Dr. Vargas focused his report on the issue of last week’s school issues at Yucca Valley High School, which he called “deeply troubling.”
Vargas laid out a comprehensive review of measures taken in response to the violence, including “increased security on campus and administration presence throughout, a campus-wide assembly held with students highlighting safety expectations, timely communication and optics sent out to families, consequences given to any student recording video or posting video on social media associated with fights or altercations. The campus safety committee will convene to make improvements to campus safety after considering current social media trends. Additional volunteers will be added during high traffic non-instructional time, and additional school assemblies will be offered, including counseling services aimed at problem solving and conflict resolution.”
Beyond these measures taken, Vargas made it clear that cultivating a “culture of safety” throughout the district is just as important. He said, “This means monitoring the climate on campus, working closely to identify students in need, and providing support to both students and staff.”
During public comment, only one parent showed up to speak out about the violence, and to highlight the pre-emptive responsibility of student parents.
She said, “I don’t think it’s right that many parents drop off their students expecting teachers to do their (parent’s) job for them. I think a teacher’s job is to educate a child academically. We as parents should be teaching them, at home, moral values, respect for others—empathy.”
On a lighter note, assistant superintendent Amy Woods provided a slide show presentation on the “Stuff the Bus” program, a benefit project to collect school supplies for students in need.
She showed a classroom overflowing with new supplies for students, deeming the program an overwhelming success.
