Long Beach Public Schools have a commitment to the education of the whole child, and that commitment has been expressed through some recent and planned innovations. We are so grateful that our community approved a capital projects proposal two months ago that will allow us to upgrade all of our playgrounds, air condition all buildings, and create additional space at the high school for new programs. As we plan for those changes, we are also moving forward with new programs, innovations and courses that support both students’ hearts and minds.
Some of those innovations and changes support students’ emotional health and well-being. Our High School Wellness Center, the Well, which opened in September, has seen a steady stream of students who are taking advantage of this calm, quiet space overlooking the water to decompress, calm themselves and focus on well-being. We have also begun regular therapy dog visits (featured in the Herald) as the Well expands to include a variety of wellness programming for both students and staff.
A few weeks ago, we also launched an app called Counslr for middle school and high school families. With parent permission, the app gives students the opportunity to access live, text-based mental health support from licensed professionals, 24/7. Of course, students will continue to have access to face-to-face counseling support during the school day, but Counslr gives families the reassurance of knowing that even if a teen has a moment of crisis at midnight, someone will always be there to help.
In addition to supporting students’ mental health and well-being, we are constantly exploring new courses and programs that will be engaging to students and meaningful for future careers. Next fall we hope to introduce a new program in barbering certification. Barbering is a great career path for students who are interested in hair design, working with people and potentially owning their own business. Barbers can earn fine salaries these days, particularly if they get into niche areas. And since A.I. can’t cut your hair, barbering is a field that is expected to show tremendous career growth over the next 10 years.
With the new year-long barber certification course at Long Beach High School, in partnership with Nassau BOCES, students can graduate with a barbering license that they can use to work, either full- or part-time, while they attend college. So stay tuned — community members may soon be able to get haircuts from LBHS barbering apprentices.
Many of our students aspire to careers in business and finance. We are exploring the possibility of creating a Bloomberg Financial Lab in our high school next fall. It would give our students real-time access to financial and economic data, and would allow us to elevate our business courses to a level that better prepares our students professionally.
Complete with a live stock ticker, we hope this lab would excite and engage future business and finance leaders. Bloomberg terminals would strengthen students’ understanding of market dynamics, business operations and global economic systems. The terminals could help with research in math, data analysis, journalism, science, supply-chain management, sustainable development and more. Students could even eventually earn professional certifications that will equip them for finance careers.
Whether through initiatives that relate to social and emotional health or coursework and curricula, Long Beach schools are always looking for ways to improve our students’ experiences, and to make learning engaging and relevant. At this time of year, “light” is often a metaphor for the hope the holiday season brings across religions and cultures. In a similar way, these innovations are a sign of light and hope that our schools are alive and responding to the needs of our children.
Jennifer Gallagher is superintendent of the Long Beach School District.
