for every student, and we leave no one behind.”That philosophy is visible in every program the district has built, blending academics with student wellness, workforce readiness, and community partnership. Spanning close to 134 square miles, and serving 24,000 students, Goose Creek’s scale is large, but its culture is close knit.“The majority of our employees live in this community,” Jackson describes. “A lot of our teachers have students that are also in school here or they have grandkids here. I always tell people, it’s the largest small school district I’ve ever worked in, because even though we have thousands of students, we operate like a small town.” The community surrounding Goose Creek CISD is heavily influenced by major employers such as Houston Methodist, ExxonMobil, Covestro, and Chevron Phillips Chemical. The community is a strong supporter of the school district and families are deeply invested in education, understanding the credentials that are required by today’s workforce. “A child just can’t graduate and go to the plants and make the same money that their parents are making,” Jackson acknowledges.“It’s different than it used to be. It’s not just a skill, it’s a credential that they have to have with it.” A COMMITMENT TO WELLNESS The district’s holistic approach is evident through the focus on student and staff wellness. Goose Creek CISD has hired Social Wellness Interventionists who prioritize the emotional and social needs of students.“These are predominantly licensed private counselors or social workers who have a different function than our traditional school counselors,” Jackson explains. “Our school counselors really focus on the academic component of the student, and the SWI really focuses on social wellness.” From group sessions to “therapy on the go,” students are connected with community resources, and taught healthy coping strategies. Understanding the benefits of recharging, Goose Creek has also invested in calming spaces on every campus. For students, these rooms include sensory 251 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 GOOSE CREEK CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
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