‘You’re not alone’: Principal shares message

UWCHLAN >> A video by a Downingtown principal hoping to remind students that they are not alone has gone viral.

Lionville Middle School Principal Jonathan Ross discusses, in the video made to show students and teachers in homeroom and which was later emailed to par-

ents, the suicide crisis that is occurring in the U.S. and the tragedies that have occurred within the Downingtown community. He added that most of the educators have children of their own and they are sadden by what has happened.

Four teenagers who died of suicide in the past 11 months were Downingtown East High School students and recent graduates of the Downingtown Area School District.

“I want to remind everyone that you’re not alone,” Ross said. “At Lionville Middle School we have people that are here to help, for any reason. If you find yourself stressed out, having anxiety, feeling depressed, if you need help for any of those reasons or any other reasons.”

He explained that the school has student assistance teams, teachers, classroom aides, guidance counselors, office staff, and even principals, who are willing to listen and talk to them when in need.

“We’re here for you. That’s why we come to here every day, for you, to help you, to do whatever we can in order to help you to be the best,” Ross said, “to help

you to learn, to grow, and to prepare for your future because that’s what’s the most important, you and your future. Hopefully you know that, hopefully you’re aware of that.”

He said, “We’re constantly asking ourselves what more we can do.” He said he truly means what “we can do” because he believes everyone from the principals to every student can contribute and help in some way.

He referred to how school communities came together nationally after the Parkland, Fla., school shooting last February that claimed the lives of 17 people and injured 17 others. He said he believes that a lot of students felt the same way as each other when they learned of the news. He encouraged them to get involved to make a difference and find a call to action. He

is encouraging the students to join him in the belief that “it begins with me.”

“It begins with me because it begins with me. That’s something we should all be thinking,” Ross said. “I’m not saying that it begins with me because I’m the principal of Lionville Middle School. I’m saying it begins with me because I know, just like you do, every single day I have an impact on other people.”

He noticed that social and educational are two areas the school community can work on together. He said if a student is physically not well and they are sick or injured for example, then their assignments and grades get “put on the back burner.” He said teachers give student the assignments they missed while they were out of school and allow them time to get caught up on their workload.

He added that the same opportunity is offered when you’re mentally not well.

“If you find yourself in a position where you’re not able to function, then we shouldn’t be asking you to do these additional things,” Ross said. “I can’t ask you as the principal of the school to perform tasks if you’re not well physically, the same holds true if you’re not well mentally. If you’re feeling that way, don’t let the pressures of schoolwork add to your burden.”

He said he understands and appreciates that students want to excel academically. However, he said he wishes the students would not have anxiety over their grades, and the difference between earning an A versus a B.

He wants students to speak up and feel comfortable expressing to another

student, a teacher, a guidance counselor, or others that they are burdened or need help. He also has a message for teachers to ensure their classrooms are a comfortable environment where students can confide in them.

“We don’t always know that you have these other things going on,” he added.

Staff members are also there socially for the students, trying to connect with the students by greeting them in the hallways and cheering them on at sporting events, he said for example. He asked his children how they are making a positive impact on others and he wants his students to think about what they are personally doing to help their peers. He noted that students have reached out to staff members when they have become concerned about their friends.

He encouraged students to check on the well-being of their friends and other students they may not be acquainted with when they see an expression on their face that indicates they are struggling or notice they are sitting alone at lunch.

“If you want to make a difference, that’s a way you can do it,” Ross said, “if you feel comfortable doing that.”

The YouTube video can be viewed on his Twitter account, @DASD_LMS or on the Lionville Middle School Facebook page. The Facebook post with the video has been shared by people who have no affiliation to the school.