DEAN OF STUDENTS
At Little Black Pearl Art & Design Academy (LBPA) the Dean of Students wears many hats to build a culture of staff, students, and community support. Inclusion and social emotional learning are important elements in the Little Black Pearl Art & Design Academy’s (LBPA) climate and culture. Our Dean of students is responsible for cultivating the LBPA culture of students, staff, and community support.
Our Dean:
pledges to lead with the four core values of LBPA: https://www.lbpacademy.org/who-we-are
hosts “Motivational Mondays” weekly with LBPA students to explore the “art of who they are, where they want to go, and the communities they plan to change”.
OFFERINGS AND SUPPORTS
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Social emotional learning at LBPA is facilitated by the staff, but students guide the lessons. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is valued because staff are aware that students need a platform to express knowledge of self, love their authentic selves, respect everyone as a unique individual, and teach their communities these lessons. When students embrace their higher self, it empowers them to make positive changes in their own communities.
BEHAVIOR HEALTH TEAM (BHT)
As LBPA moves forward as a community, we move together as a team. Staff members meet monthly to build a solid foundation for student success and support.
The LBPA BEHAVIOR HEALTH TEAM (BHT) focuses on the strengths of our students, and provides the resources needed to support students who may be dealing with traumatic situations that impact their attendance, behavior, and ability to learn.
Our Dean ensures there is ongoing staff training on evolving climate standards, our attendance improvement plan, truancy reduction, and access to the Behavioral Health Request for Assistance.
With the support of community partners and staff, this multi-tiered system of support is used as a guide to ensure that all students at LBPA have access to resources that are tailored to their individual needs.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (YLC) and GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE (GSA)
Inclusion is an important element in the climate of the LBPA community. This is why we have developed a space for students to share their voice and receive guidance and support through our YLC (Youth Leadership Council) and GSA (Gay Straight Alliance).
The YLC is student-led with the support of the Dean and other LBPA staff. The YLC focuses on students being empowered to address needs in their communities. This school year because of the pandemic and understanding the needs in the community, the council continues to think about how they can be a change agent in their communities. One important task that the council has focused on is providing hygiene products to community shelters but also continuing with initiatives that positively impact the people in their communities. The GSA is student-led with the Dean as the GSA advisor who provides administrative support, resources, and feedback if needed. The alliance focuses on three areas: social activities, activism, and student support. The GSA meest monthly to ensure LBPA is providing a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff who are a part of the LGBTQ communities.
When staff and students are able to return to in-person learning, although we will continue providing the support already implemented, we will continue to build upon the needs to improve the climate at LBPA. Some practices that we will be our focus to ensure students and staff feel supported and safe will include: meditation, healing, a walk-in closet for students needing access to resources, mental health support and creating a climate and space where students feel safe. Students will be encouraged to participate in school assessments to improve school climate. The Dean will continue the ongoing support to ensure the school climate meets safety and security standards during and after the global pandemic, while following the guidelines of the current reopening plan.
Because the Dean is tasked to lead, educate and support the Climate/BHT team, weekly motivational sessions will continue as a mental health support to all LBPA staff. Ongoing training for staff on climate standards, the attendance improvement plan, truancy reduction, and access to the Behavioral Health Request for Assistance form will be the focus.
For more information regarding program assistance or referrals, please call and leave a message at 773-285-1211.
