5515: Staff Well-Being

District Commitment

The Bellevue School District will promote a positive workplace climate that celebrates diversity, focuses on inclusion to create a culture of belonging, and provides a healthy sense of well-being for all staff. The District recognizes that staff well-being needs to be consistently supported so that staff can perform at their best for students. Furthermore, the District is committed to supporting mental health and staff members who may be experiencing secondary traumatic stress(STS).

Secondary traumatic stress, also called compassion fatigue, is a natural but disruptive set of symptoms that may result when one person learns firsthand of the traumatic experiences of another. School staff work daily with students experiencing trauma and loss. As a result, teachers, school counselors, administrators, and other school staff may experience secondary traumatic stress. When secondary traumatic stress is left unaddressed, it may lead to staff turnover, burnout, chronic absenteeism, and health issues that negatively impact the school community.

The District’s commitment will focus on raising awareness of secondary traumatic stress and providing resources and support for employees experiencing STS. In accordance with RCW28A.400.009, the District’s Health and Wellness Team serves as a workforce mental health committee required by the statute.

District Health and Wellness Team

The District Health and Wellness Team’s purpose is to coordinate consistent and equitable efforts towards staff well-being across the system and will:

• Expand employee resource groups;
• Promote and sponsor employee wellness initiatives;
• Develop a peer support program;
• Provide employee group contacts for staff who may be experiencing secondary traumatic stress and are seeking individual support;
• Share mental health support information provided through an employee assistance program;
• Share secondary traumatic stress, stress management, and other mental health resources and supports available through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Educational Service District, and the School Employees’ Benefits Board;
• Share a secondary traumatic stress self-assessment tool and any associated resources;
• Regularly solicit information from staff about what contributes to and enhances staff well-being as well as identifying workplace stressors;
• Regularly assess and adjust implementation of this policy with input from the District’s employees; and
• Provide appropriate resources and training to schools and staff including recognizing trauma and trauma-informed practices.

The District Health and Wellness Team will report to the Board, staff, and community annually on workplace climate, staff well-being, and support for secondary traumatic stress in the workplace.

---

Cross References:

3112 – Student Safety and Well-Being