Civil Municipal Magazine - Nov 2023

192 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 college pennant is displayed on the student study room wall, creating a sense of achievement and motivation. Research says if students can get on campus and believe they can achieve it, they will then be college certificate, diploma, or degree completers. That has been proven over and over here in Council Bluffs, hearing stories of students saying, ‘I never believed I could go to college, but I can’. And they know they can achieve that.” Safety, Well-Being, and Supports: The Holistic Approach Along with academic success, the district prioritizes students’ social-emotional, behavioral, and mental wellness needs to enhance student achievement. All employees are trauma- informed and are trained to support and elevate students who may have experienced trauma, and they employ support personnel such as student and family advocates, graduation coaches, attendance teams, and on-site school- based therapists to identify and address students who require additional support. “School teams have become proficient at analyzing their data, letting that data drive them to say, these are options available to us. We are matching students with the support they need,” says Dr. Mathews. She notes, “We also want to pay attention through the Multi- Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process, to the students who would benefit from enrichment opportunities in all areas so that they may excel.” On the safety side, Council Bluffs Community School District has established a strong partnership with the local police department and has School Resource Officers in secondary schools to provide an extra layer of security and support. The district also acknowledges the importance of community collaboration in school safety efforts. They encourage open communication and the “see something, say something” approach, promoting vigilance and reporting of any potential concerns or threats. ESSER dollars have been allocated to add entrance door card readers at all buildings. In addition to physical security enhancements, the district has also focused on addressing digital literacy and