SIs v.s. SEAs: What’s going on with the new disciplinary system
The 2018-19 UHS school year is a month in. New positions were added this year as the discipline system of Urbana High School was reimagined. These new positions, Student Interventionists (SIs) and Student Engagement Advocates (SEAs), took over roles and responsibilities that were last year occupied by deans.
The reinvention of the discipline system itself was controversial as the decision to do so was seen as abrupt. As the year begins, there seems to be some confusion surrounding the change of policy and personnel.
Eric Morrow, former dean and current SI, helped clarify the new role of SI, one that is often compared to his former role. “We advocate for students [and] we try to link them with resources and support,” he says. “We help students develop better choices and strategies.”
Although Morrow admits the role of SI is similar in a lot of ways to the role of deans, he says there is one major difference. “There’s more documentation,” he states. “We’re more conscientious about the support we’re giving.”
According to Morrow, there is more follow-up and paperwork done to make sure students are getting the full support they deserve.
Ashley Cho, newly hired SI, offers a clean perspective on UHS. She speaks of the new team of SIs with optimism. “We’re here as support for the students,” she says. “We have a really good team. All the SIs have different strengths and weaknesses, and collectively we work well together,”
As for the the new system, Cho offers a word of advice to students. “The biggest thing for students is to trust the process of change. New people, new rules. Change is always hard, but it’s going to take time before things come together.”
The second new disciplinary role is the position known as Student Engagement Advocates (SEAs) who provide additional support to the SIs.
“We’re the catch-all within the school,” Sheri Williamson, SEA of the senior class, explains.
She speaks of seeing students as people instead of problems, that the new system doing so by increased follow up and support.
Crys Northern, SEA worker, is soon leaving UHS for a better opportunity for her family, but speaks with the same passion as Williamson.
“We are here to span the gap for students with behavioral, emotional and physical issues that prevent them from being the best they can be in the classroom,” Northern clarifies.
Northern also speaks of new admin with admiration, saying they are doing great work to improve racial equity, the reason why the new system was implemented.
“I appreciate Jorge Elvir along with Deloris Brown along with new admins added to Urbana,” Northern says. “They are doing dynamic work to change racial equity issues. So many black students [were] receiving blanket suspensions as opposed to correction and communication.”
Though SEAs and SIs are clear on their roles within the new system, student response shows an overall air of confusion in regards to the disciplinary changes. Many students preferred to keep their identities anonymous.
“I have absolutely no idea what is going on,” senior Katie Thies states. “I’ve met one of the SIs, but though I see them around, I don’t find myself interacting with them often.”
“I don’t know their job titles,” one senior says in regards to the SIs and SEAs. “One of them came into our class and could barely explain their own position. It’s like they’re confused too.”
An overwhelming consensus among students seems to be a lack of communication and trust.
“The new admin have seemed to have done very little in terms of student outreach,” one junior states, “They need to prove that they’re good and give students a reason to trust them.”
Thies agrees, “I really don’t think kids are very trusting of admin because of all the change and the way certain things are handled.”
It is clear that both students and staff care about the future of Urbana High School, however much seems to be lost in translation. A lunch will be held today after school to answer additional questions from students.
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