MONROE - About 170 children in Monroe schools' third through eighth grades will participate in a survey this month to help the district identify those who may have social, emotional or behavior needs, according to Joe Monroe, the district's pupil services director.

"Research clearly indicates that self-regulation, pro-social behavior, a good self-concept and self-efficacy is strongly related to school success," he said. "If students feel good about themselves, they do well in school and outside."

Thirty-five statements on the standardized, national norm-referenced survey, produced by a private publishing company, are read to the students, who then answer based on their strength of agreement with the statements.

The statements identify concerns beyond bullying, said Monroe, and students identified with critical issues such as depression, suicide, or alcohol and drugs use will be address immediately.

Other problems will be met with small group counseling, one-on-one mentoring and coaching, as required, he said.

"The staff is very good at identifying student needs," Monroe said, "but some students are introverted and tend not to share. They are more able to go undetected."

The school already has in place several support structures and problem-solving methods, said Monroe, "but we've never collected this data before."

The survey will help analyze any gap the district may have in helping students deal with personal problems, on an individual level and on an organizational level.

Parents will be contacted to be "involved in the problem-solving process and part of the team" effort to help any child identified as needing help, he added.

"We want the kids to feel comfortable and safe at school and in relationships with their peers and all adults in their lives," Monroe said.

The district mailed letters to parents informing them about the survey and their right to opt out of the survey. The survey was not distributed to parents, but parents can look at the assessment survey by appointment. Monroe said "a few" parents with various reasons have opted out of the survey.

"We don't want the kids being coached or looking at the survey," Monroe said. "The more authentic the responses, the better."