SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME “We wanted to build a school and a school culture that would make them want to come to Rock Hill and be excited about being a Blue Hawk.”
S
ome jobs are challenging in this New World in which we live. Some jobs are overwhelming and exhausting and some jobs seem virtually impossible. Opening a new high school is challenging. Opening a large new high school is challenging. Opening a large new high school that is a community’s second high school is challenging. Opening a large new high school that is a community’s second high school in the middle of a pandemic is challenging. Doing so while building a positive school culture amongst students and staff, well… that takes an amazing leader. Dustin Toth was tasked with that job and, according to students and staff, has succeeded despite all of the challenges. He has managed to build relationships with staff, students, parents, and community members while possessing a confident and relatable presence that has fostered a sense of community and belonging at Rock Hill High School. Toth began his culture building back in September of 2019 after the zones for the two high schools were announced. He started by meeting with Seniors during Eagle Time and then with Juniors. During the course of the fall, Toth and his Administrative Assistant, Erin Jones, met with the students about 10 times. During these meetings the students decided what the core values and focus of the school would be. Through that came the ICSEEU which stands for their core values of Integrity, Creativity, Service, Excellence, Empathy, and Unity.
18
