Salk Middle School Week 2 Updates

Hello Salk Families,

My name is Jessie Keckeisen, I am the Parent Liaison here at Salk Middle School. I have 3 kids who have attended Salk, my youngest is now an 8th grader.

These are some of the things I do here at Salk:

-Send background checks to volunteers. Background checks will be needed for all volunteers and field trip chaperones. They cost $10.25 and are good for 3 years. Form to request a background check: https://forms.gle/nzsVN2im9WjfDFyb8

-Get volunteers to help with events throughout the year.

-Help the students, staff and school in various ways.

If you would like to be on my volunteer email list please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/PfSJQsp865P4SaMC8

Thank you.

Dear Parents and/or Guardians:

As a school district, we are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of our students, educators, administrators, and the community at large.

We believe this must involve community-wide programs and initiatives involving parents, teachers, administrators, local law enforcement, mental health and wellness professionals, and elected officials to take meaningful action to protect our students.

As such, ISD 728 is pleased to continue offering the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) to our middle and high schools. During the week of September 16, 2024, students and staff will learn/be reminded how to recognize warning signals and threats, on social media, in school, or in their community, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and Say Something to a trusted adult OR use the anonymous reporting system. Specifically, the program educates students and adult participants to:

• Recognize the signs and threats of at-risk behaviors

• Take every sign and signal seriously and act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult, OR

• Report it anonymously to the SS-ARS 24/7/365 Crisis Center via a mobile app, website, or telephone hotline

• Understand how submitted tips are overseen by a designated school team using a tip management system

• Reinforce the awareness via student clubs, in-school activities, and call-to-action weeks

Our students are often aware of the problems their peers are facing, and we must empower them to recognize the danger signs and give them the tools to help each other with the assistance of trained, caring adults. As you know, most conversations are taking place on social media, therefore it is critical that we teach our students to look out for one another as these digital conversations are taking place. SS-ARS teaches them what to look for in text, video and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student. The program also teaches students to recognize at-risk behaviors in friends and classmates at school and in their local community.

The SS-ARS program is provided by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nation-wide non-profit organization. SHP’s programs are in 50 states – with 14,000+ schools and over 12 million students and adults trained. They have a track record, reputation, and knowledge of how to work effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and culture. The program is age-appropriate and research-based. To date, SS-ARS and other SHP prevention programs have helped stop multiple school shootings, suicides, and gun threats, The program has reduced bullying and cyberbullying, intervened upon cutting, drug use, and other violent acts. We know this program will do the same for our district.

Our school district provides parents with the option to remove their child from these safety trainings. If you have questions or concerns or to opt your child out of this training, please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s principal directly. You can also find additional information on the ISD 728 Prevention & Safety Website.

6th grade students were informed about our AVID opportunity this week at school. Students must access the application through their grade level schoology course. Applications are due Monday, Sept 16th. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a proven, in-school elective college readiness class that prepares students in grades 6-12 for college and career readiness. Students interested in AVID must apply, be interviewed, and be accepted into the class. To learn more about the AVID program click here

The 8th grade career and college field trip is Sept 27th. Paper permission slips are due on Friday, Sept 13th and students should turn them into their homeroom teachers. Students need to order a bag lunch or bring one from home for the field trip. Vending machines and on site food is NOT an option. All school policies are in effect for this trip, including our cell phone policy.

ALL ISD 728 School Dress Code Policies still apply.