Dear school superintendent and school board members,

I am sending this email to express my concerns with the possible switch from a five day to four day school week.

I am writing as a licensed clinical social worker, who has been working with children/teens and their families for over 20 years.

I do not need to educate you on this poor rural community and the economic disadvantages many of these children/teens and families are experiencing today.

The school has always been a refuge in times of stress and insecurities for many of those who are suffering in silence. Many of the teaching and support staff offer these children/teens and their families a safe place to grow and thrive. Not to mention the cooking staff who provide nutritious hot meals, something many of them only receive when in school.

Many of these children/teens and their family have no place to go to receive comfort when they are hurting, peace when stress and companionship when feeling alone.

The social and emotional damage will increase on many of the few who can barely manage what they are going through at this time of poverty, high stress, depression and feelings associated with loneliness, single parent households, drug abuse, neglect, trauma and others.

In March 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 42% of high school students were suffering from overwhelming stress and anxiety. A 50% increase since 2011. But the data on girls is especially alarming. Nearly a 60% increase from 2011 and the highest level reported over the past decade. Nearly 1 in 3 seriously considered suicide up nearly 60% from a decade ago.

Another devastating finding from the Centers for Disease control reports that U.S. Teens who report feelings of persistent sadness or hopelessness. From the year of (2011- 2021) girls have risen for 36% to 57% and males from 21% to 29% in 2021.

I do not need to remind you that children/teens are the school board’s number one responsibility.

One other point that I need to make is for you to consider the financial strains on many of the families with children. Locating adequate child care may be easier to find for the summer months, but adds a huge financial hardship with the idea of finding such care that may or may not exist for Fridays for a whole school year.

Therefore, I ask you to vote against this plan to switch from a five day to a four day school week.

Thank you for hearing my concerns.

Respectfully,

Raoul Ribeiro,

Thompson Falls