Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School Awarded $43,800 Grant to Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

TAUNTON — Superintendent Alexandre Magalhaes, Principal Karen Guenette, and Special Education Coordinator Amy Cohen are pleased to share that Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School has received a $43,800 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support social-emotional learning, mental health, and wellness initiatives.

The grant is part of a $5.54 million statewide funding initiative announced by the administration of Gov. Maura Healey to expand behavioral and mental health services for students across Massachusetts. Bristol-Plymouth is one of 60 school districts, educational collaboratives and charter schools across Massachusetts receiving grants.

This $43,800 grant will allow Bristol-Plymouth to continue and expand its work fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment through several key initiatives, including the following:

• Sustaining Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS): The MTSS Committee, established through Bristol-Plymouth’s participation in DESE’s Inclusive Academy and Literacy Academy, will continue to refine and implement an action plan to support students at all three intervention tiers.
• Launching a Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) Committee: This newly formed committee will focus on promoting social-emotional competence, academic and vocational success, and a positive school climate through restorative intervention practices.
• Developing a staff and teacher resource for restorative intervention strategies: The school’s assistant principal will collaborate with the MTSS Committee and the PBIS Committee to create a Google Classroom as a resource to provide teachers and staff with strategies and a guidebook for repairing student relationships, resolving conflicts and otherwise dealing with disruptions to the classroom and shop learning environment.
• Bringing in an expert mental health speaker: The grant will fund a student assembly featuring a mental health and emotional skills coach. Outreach is now underway to secure an expert speaker in May for Mental Health Awareness Month.
• Expanding access to virtual mental health support: With the grant funding, Bristol-Plymouth will purchase 25 additional slots through Cartwheel, a trusted provider of virtual therapy sessions for students, ensuring access to mental health counseling in less than 24 hours from sign-up, providing timely support to students rather than making them wait for months for a local in-person appointment.

Special Education Coordinator Cohen said the grant funding will help increase students’ level of accessibility to crucial mental health and wellness support, empowering students to thrive while continuing their education.

“Mental health support should never be out of reach for students in need,” Cohen said. “With these additional resources, including more virtual therapy slots, we are better equipped to help students receive timely and effective support, reinforcing our commitment to their wellbeing and their continuing education.”

Principal Guenette said this funding will allow Bristol-Plymouth to build upon the work that the school has been doing during the past three years.

“By strengthening our MTSS and introducing new restorative and positive behavior interventions, we are better equipping both students and staff with the tools they need for success in and beyond the classroom,” said Principal Guenette.

Superintendent Magalhaes expressed appreciation for the state funding, calling it a boost for the school’s ability to support all of its students.

“By expanding these resources, we can continue our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can thrive,” Superintendent Magalhaes said.

For more information about this statewide school funding initiative, including a list of school districts, educational collaboratives, and charter schools that received a grant, check out the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s grant announcement.

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