Royal School Board discusses awareness, achievements

ROYAL CITY — The Royal School Board discussed a variety of topics Monday evening, and saw a turnout of community and faculty members in attendance.

Following the death of a Royal High School student that occurred on April 16, the meeting kicked off with a discussion on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Monica Clouse, a longtime resident of Royal City and a teacher in the Royal School District, began the discussion by explaining her insight on mental health and the issues faced. She encouraged the promotion of “self talk,” which encourages people to not only discuss their feelings, but to also listen and take seriously the feelings of others when they are expressed.

“We need to teach our students everything that we can,” said Clouse. She also urged for teachers to be armed with the ability to recognize, address and prevent further tragedies that can result from mental health issues.

Superintendent, Roger Trail, also addressed the board explaining that since he came on at the Royal School District he has implemented Safe Schools Training. The training requires all staff of the district to both take and pass suicide prevention training yearly.

In regards to the recent student death, Trail also explained that extra steps have been taken to help prevent further tragedies.

“We were able to get additional counselors,” said Trail. Additional counselors have been on campus to provide more hands on deck for students who are grieving or have other concerns to discuss.

Trail also took the opportunity to express gratitude to the students of Wahluke School District who extended their condolences to Royal High School by signing and delivering a poster, which said “Wahluke Loves Royal.”

“Sometimes we get caught up in rivalries that we forget we have neighbors who can help,” said Trail. “And Wahluke did not forget that.”

Information on suicide awareness and prevention can also be found on the school district’s Facebook page. A suicide prevention forum, provided by Grant Integrated Services and other area agencies, will be held at the Royal Middle School Gym on Wednesday, April 25 at 7 p.m.

Also discussed during the meeting was the recent recognition of two RSD staff members who were awarded during the NCESD Grant County Excellence Banquet held on April 18 at Big Bend Community College. Heather Mueller was awarded Teacher of the Year, and Jodie Conrad from the Transportation Department was presented with the Classified Employee of the Year Award.

Trail explained that this is the third year in a row that staff members of the RSD have been recognized, and was please with the large turnout of support for them at the banquet.