In light of the school shooting in Georgia, it is important that we continue to address ways we can prevent violence in our schools. First of all, we can all take threats seriously and report them to our building administrators and SROs immediately. We have threat assessment teams in place at all of our schools who use Dept of Justice guidelines to assess each threat. Based on these assessments we take steps to keep our students and staff safe and determine the needs of the student who has made the threat.
Click here for an excellent overview of how we can prevent violence in schools from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
The main point from the NASP resource above is that we can prevent violence in schools. Whenever you show interest in students and get to know them, you are building trust and making it less likely they will commit violence and more likely they will tell you if someone is thinking about committing a violent act. When you are clear about expectations you are creating a safe, consistent environment for students. And when you recognize a child is struggling and get them to a school counselor or school social worker, you are helping students get help before it becomes a crisis situation.
You may notice that some students are scared and confused by what they are hearing on the news or social media. Click here for a resource from NASP on age appropriate ways educators can talk to students.
Finally, I want to remind our middle school and high school staff that students can use the anonymous tip line Speak Up Speak Out (SUSO) that is located on Classlink when there are concerns about safety.
Our school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, and myself are all here for you if you have questions about the mental health of our students and their families. Please do not hesitate to consult us. I can be contacted at maltekruse@neenah.k12.wi.us. Thank you for all you do!!!
Applications for PBnJs Mental Health Fund grants are due by October 9.
The Patrick Began Neenah Joint School District (PBnJs) Mental Health Fund has received over 200 applications and approved over $110,000 worth of grants since 2017. The PBnJs grant has supported SEL programs, presenters, fidgets, registration fees for mental health related training, safe space supplies, and too many other ideas to mention. If you feel you need something for your students or colleagues related to mental health, please apply!
If you or a colleague has an idea to address the mental health needs here at NJSD, fill out a PBnJs Application. It is a brief application process. All you need to do is know how your grant request would benefit our students or staff socially, emotionally, or behaviorally and how much it costs.
Just note that the PBnJs grant is for mental health needs. If your request is for something within the budget of your school, through Special Ed monies, or from your department and is only marginally related to mental health, we will not be able to approve the grant. Also, note that any requests for furniture, such as chairs, will need to be approved by Facilities, so please check with Angela Zanto in the facilities office before applying.
We have had grants supported that are over $10,000 and we have had grants supported for less than $100. If you are unsure if your grant fits the criteria, feel free to contact Dr. Mike at maltekruse@neenah.k12.wi.us. If you are interested in giving to the PBnJs fund, you may do so through the Oshkosh Community Foundation by clicking on the link here.
Thank you for all you do!!!
The Educational Foundation of Neenah (EFN) is now accepting grant requests for new and innovative programming for NJSD classrooms. Grant requests should use the EFN Grant Request Form and may be sent directly to Dan Goggin at gogginlaw@msn.com by October 4.