By Vicki Greene, Contributing editor

MARLBOROUGH – After what has been a difficult year for districts across the state, particularly affecting the social and emotional needs of students at every grade level, Marlborough is adding two grant-funded student accommodation counselors to its current staff for the fall .

This means that each elementary school in the city will have two full-time special education counselors.

“Additional support will be needed as all of our students re-acclimatize to school,” Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Equity Jody O’Brien said in a May 25 report to the committee. school.

Elementary schools recruit counselors

As each elementary school will have two full-time adaptation counselors, Richer and Goodnow elementary schools will receive an added position. They each have a full-time counselor working alongside a part-time counselor who distributes availability among schools.

This counselor will be moving to Jaworek in the fall, adding to the full-time position currently at that school.

Staffing of counselors remains unchanged at MHS, Whitcomb

According to O’Brien, at the college level, Whitcomb Middle School currently has four full-time adjustment counselors as well as a clinician for its bridging program.

Marlborough High School has five counselors as well as a clinician for its Bridge program.

Federal and State Grants Fund COVID-Related Needs

Congress approved two rounds of federal funding to support schools in each state under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.

In Marlborough, a large portion of that funding has been spent on projects, including upgrading ventilation systems and adding additional cleaning services and personal protective equipment for schools.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is now providing each district with an additional $ 10,000 to be used for “student mental health support.”