Sevier School District Emotional Safety/Culture Initiatives

Safe Schools Department

2018-19

Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS): District wide we are implementing this by adhering to research based principles that include:
● establishing school wide positive behavior expectations
● systematically rewarding good behavior
● identifying students in need of additional support
● providing targeted interventions to students struggling behaviorally and/or academically
● providing opportunities for parent and community involvement
● collecting and analyzing data to drive school improvement decisions
Tools that assist us in this process are Educators Handbook, SIS, PBIS World, etc.

WhyTry: This is a nationally renowned, evidence-based program designed to promote skills and attitudes that increase students’ social and school success. The WhyTry Program is a resilience education curriculum that provides simple, hands-on solutions for dropout prevention, violence prevention, truancy reduction, and increased academic success.

Inner Explorer: Inner Explorer program is a series of daily 5-10-minute audio-guided mindfulness practices. The program focuses on key areas of development, bringing mindfulness to education and helping students prepare for learning. Daily practice teaches kids the practical techniques to appropriately handle negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, anger and more. Inner Explorer offers programs for all age-groups (PreK-12) that help students with following themes:

Discovering Breathing and Relaxation Exercises
● Learning Awareness of Senses
● Using Thought and Emotional Regulation
● Developing Compassion and Connection
● Promoting Social Emotional Learning

HOPE Squads: These are students in all secondary schools that are trained in suicide awareness to assist and help peers who are suffering from depression or may be suicidal. It incorporates training modules that take an active approach in teaching/learning the warning signs of suicide, reporting potential suicidal behavior, and supporting students who have already received help. Hope Squads are the eyes and ears of the school’s student body that have been identified by their peers as someone that is a good listener. Teams are led by teachers and counselors who have also been trained. The goal is to refer the students to the counseling office or another adult who can assist them in getting the support they need.

       ADAPT: ADAPT (Advancing Decision Making and Problem Solving for Teens) is a small-group intervention for middle and high school students who are at risk for substance use, aggression, truancy, poor school performance, and depressive moods. The program's 12 sessions teach fundamental skills such as:

● Effective Problem Solving and Communication Skills
● Decision Making
● Refusal Skills and Anger Management

Anti-Bullying Efforts: As part of our PBIS/school climate efforts, and in partnership with the USOE and the Utah Anti-Bullying Coalition, all schools have implemented bullying prevention strategies and/or programs. The specific methods chosen were based on office disciplinary, SHARP, and student report data at each school. In addition to Second Step and Prevention Dimensions, other examples of these include:

Bee-ing Builders: This is an elementary curriculum designed to teach students positive character traits and strategies to combat or prevent bullying.
Me2We: This is a middle level whole school peer curriculum program where students focus on developing a culture of kindness within the school. The program has lasting effects on the school as a whole promoting the ideas of kindness, acceptance, and tolerance of others. The positive and encouraging climate of the school is hugely due to the lessons, activities, and other reminders offered to students in regards to developing self-esteem, positive relationships with others, and working hard to find personal success and encouraging the success of others.
7 - Mindsets: This is a secondary level program that teaches students life skills. 7 Mindsets provides a framework that distills extensive research into the nature of happiness and success, providing the language, lessons and community-wide operating system for social and emotional learning (SEL) to succeed.
Anti-Bullying Assemblies: These are targeted for the whole student body and designed to increase awareness and motivation to make a difference. Josh Drean, Gabe Adams and Braxton Nielson are examples of these assemblies.
Peer Programs: At the secondary level, established groups such as Hope Squads and Student Government have taken on the Anti-Bullying cause and include it in what they are doing throughout the year. These students promote positive relationships and watch for students at risk or aggressors and report them to school officials. They also spearhead activities to increase unity and acceptance. Training for these students has been provided through the Utah Anti-Bully Coalition.

SafeUT: Students concerned about the safety of themselves or others are reaching out for help. The SafeUT Crisis & Safety Tip Line App was brought online districtwide in April 2016. All students in grades 6-12 are trained about how and when to use the SafeUT services. Students in crisis can connect with counselors 24 hours a day by using the mobile app or calling   1-800-273-8255 to talk about relationship issues, drug problems, thoughts of suicide, etc. Safety tips submitted are screened by crisis workers for immediate intervention and then passed along to district/school officials for follow up. Tips can be reported anonymously and may include, but are not limited to: suicide, bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, hazing, threats, and substance abuse. We have received valuable tips allowing us to respond and intervene in a timely manner to prevent, properly investigate, act upon, restore, and maintain safety. High school counselors review this app frequently with students.

QPR Training: We have 2 district trainers that work throughout the community to train educators, staff, students, community groups, religious groups, etc. on the Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) method of suicide prevention. After 2 years of teaching QPR in Sevier County, we have trained many Gatekeepers, and people in Connect Postvention.  We have several staff who have also been trained in postvention.

PREPaRE Training: This is an emergency response training that includes a mental health component that all of our counselors have been trained in.

Mental Health Services: Through Counseling Grants, our students can access mental health services for situations that are affecting their social/emotional well being, school behavior and/or academics. A partnership in association with Central Utah Counseling provides cost-free opportunities for qualifying students to get the support needed during school time. This can be accessed through administrators and/or counselors. A partnership grant with the Children’s Justice Center is also available for those who may not qualify for the other programs.

Botvin Lifeskills: The Botvin LifeSkills Middle and High School programs is a groundbreaking substance abuse and violence prevention program based on more than 35 years of rigorous scientific research. Proven to be the most effective evidence-based program used in schools today, LifeSkills Training is comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally designed to promote positive youth development. In addition to helping kids resist drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, the LifeSkills Training Middle School program also effectively supports the reduction of violence and other high-risk behaviors.

NOVA: The N.O.V.A (Nurturing Opportunities, Values and Accountability) Principles program teaches powerful, comprehensive principles-based decision making that goes far beyond other prevention and education programs. The curriculum includes lessons that help youth and parents deal with drugs, accountability and healthy choices, anger management, internet safety, self-esteem, bullying and media issues.

Why N.O.V.A. Principles?

The N.O.V.A. Principles program teaches powerful & comprehensive principles-based decision making that goes far beyond other prevention and education programs. The curriculum includes lessons that help youth and parents deal with Drugs, Gangs, Accountability, Making Good Choices, Anger Management, Internet Safety, Self Esteem, Bullying, and Media issues.

School Counseling & Mental Health Systems of Support: Our school counselors have an “open-door policy” for responsive services. They know this takes precedence over other needs. Counselors have attended multiple trainings/conferences in the areas of suicide prevention, mental health, emergency services, intervention strategies, abuse and trauma, etc. Counselors have been trained in various suicide prevention programs/strategies, including QPR, as well as other trainings. Sevier School District has also actively increased counseling services throughout the district including in our elementary schools. In addition to this a couple of our elementary schools are using school funding to pilot efforts to include social/emotional intervention aides on staff.

SHARP Survey: In March 2017, students in grades 6-12 participated in the SHARP Survey. This survey is administered every two years, gathering data that is used to continually to support and improve efforts to combat suicide, bullying, drug and tobacco use, etc. within our district and communities.

Prevention Dimensions: This is Utah’s Safe and Drug Free Schools Curriculum. All elementary (K-6) and select Junior High teachers in our district have been trained and teach this annually. This has been the foundation prevention curriculum in Sevier School District since 1983.

Positive Professional Development for Teachers: Sevier School District is always looking for and implementing positive professional development opportunities for staff and faculty dealing with improving school culture, compassion fatigue, student success, positive effect size, etc. We feel if we can give our teachers and staff the right tools and training it will transfer to our students social/emotional development, academic success and improved coping skills. Mental health professionals are always scheduled to present at our annual professional learning conference.

Refocus Groups: We have a refocus room coordinator in most of the elementary schools. The program was implemented to monitor students in various activities for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment. The refocus coordinator responds productively to conflict situations with students for the purpose of de-escalating student behavior and directing the situation toward a positive outcome.

School Resource Officers (SROs): SROs are sworn law enforcement officers who are specially selected and trained to promote safety within schools. SROs can fulfill a variety of roles: Preventing and responding to school-based crime; fostering positive relationships among law enforcement, educators, and youth; and helping to promote a positive school climate.

Zones of Regulation: A curriculum designed to foster self regulation and control available in every school in the district. The Zones framework provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and impulses, manage their sensory needs, and improve their ability to problem solve conflicts.

Second Step (grades K-8): This is a nationally renowned, evidence-based program designed to promote skills and attitudes that increase students’ social and school success. It provides a foundation for creating a safe, respectful learning environment. Second Step is implemented by counselors and refocus specialists in our elementary schools.

Anxiety Awareness Community Focus Group: Community members, business owners, clergy representatives, city and county representatives, and the Sevier School District Crisis Response Team attend Anxiety Awareness Meetings to implement the Community Suicide Prevention Model and improve community involvement and awareness.

Emergency Response Team: Sevier School District has a Crisis Response Team which include District administration, principals, school counselors, community leaders and members of the community.

National Bereavement Guidelines: In the event of a school crisis, Sevier School District Emergency Response Team uses the National School Crisis and Bereavement guidelines. These guidelines are designed to help school administrators, teachers, and crisis team members respond to the needs of students and staff after a suicide has impacted the school environment as well as when an individual student’s life may be impacted by a suicide within the family.

Sevier County Suicide Prevention Tips: The tip of the month is produced through the Central Utah Counseling Center. The information includes prevention events and tips from many agencies throughout Sevier County.

School-Based Mental Health Webinar: The Utah School Board of Education provides School-Based Mental Health webinars for counselors and other student support professionals each month.

Juvenile Justice Intervention Programs: The School-based Outreach Program provides evidence-based services to youths to improve attendance and academic performance, teach problem solving, decision making, goal setting and resiliency skills in the school and in the community, tutor participating youth, establish collaborative relationships with allied agencies, and mentor youth in homes, where skills are taught to the family. Juvenile Justice Service representatives work with secondary students one on one and in small groups weekly.

Mindful Schools: Mindful Schools is one of the key players in the movement to integrate mindfulness into the everyday learning environment of K-12 classrooms. The organization has trained educators, parents, and mental health professionals who work with youth. The Mindful schools program is used daily in our elementary and middle schools to work toward lowering student toxic stress, emotion and mood regulation, sleep, and learning readiness.

Alexis Andersen, Becky Bastian, Shanna Blake, Dianne Farrer, Jalizabeth Hamberlin, Mykayla Hayden, Jason Hitchens, Briana Hitchens, Mackenzie Ivie, Janell Johansen, Jacey Jolley, Lindsey Jorgensen, Jeff Kidder, Cheylena Lyman, Michael Mccormick, Amy Moore, Michelle Mullen, John Ramage, Ryan Shaddix, Janene Torgerson, and Taylor Winn.

Sevier County Superintendent Cade Douglas joins Morning Talk host Aimee Cobabe for an interview on online safety for kids. A father himself, Douglas discusses the steps parents can take to help their kids stay safe when using smart devices.

Click the link to listen to the KSVC Morning Talk Interview:

http://midutahradio.com/news/local-news/sevier-county-superintendent-warns-parents-of-online-dangers-for-kids/

Internet and Smartphone Safety

https://www.graniteschools.org/blog/2018/02/13/in-todays-world-internet-and-smartphone-safety-is-critical/

Staying up-to-date with your child's online activity

https://www.graniteschools.org/blog/2014/02/13/staying-up-to-date-with-your-childs-online-activity/

Registration now open Click image above for registration form

Superintendent’s Scoop

June 2018

Making a lasting impact in the life of a student is a very rewarding experience. Nearly everyone can name a teacher who has left a positive impression on their life in one-way or another. Students who receive support and encouragement from one-caring adult while in school can improve academic success. Our goal is to have all students feel as though his or her teacher cares about them, believes in them, and leaves a lasting positive impression.

Just like students, teachers need support and positive relationships. One way to provide that support is through instructional coaches. This year an equalization bill was passed by the legislature that helped provide funding toward hiring instructional coaches for each school. The funding for the instructional coach was calculated and allocated according to the school’s student count.

Teachers are lifelong learners always seeking opportunities to grow and searching for ways to become innovative in their classrooms. Instructional coaches work collaboratively with educators and help them become better teachers. They observe teachers teaching, go over instructional data, and model good teaching practices. No matter what age or how long a teacher has been teaching, there is always room for growth and new ideas.

Robert John Meehan said, “The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other. Without collaboration, our growth is limited to our own perspectives.” Instructional coaches play a support role to teachers. When a teacher inherits the desire to improve and the relationship is built on trust, personalized professional growth for every teacher is possible. Students win in buildings with instructional coaches.

Cheryl Wright, an instructional coach at Washington High School in Kansas City said, “Having the culture of coaching is contagious and can spread to teachers at all levels of the career ladder. If you set it up so people see others benefiting from coaching and succeeding, and they see that the process is grounded in respect, then they [will also] want to try it.”

Our desire is to create a culture of feedback for every aspect of our school district. We know having these new instructional coaches in our schools will provide a bright future for our teachers and students. Teachers will have additional resources to make improvements and provide students with a positive impression–one that hopefully, they will never forget.

Reference:

Kim Greene, ASCD- Every Coach for Every Teacher, March 2018 Volume 60, Number 3

Richfield Reaper – CTE Article May 2018

When Richfield High School senior Cayden Acord walks across the stage later this month to accept his diploma, he’s going to be able to start working at his new job as an automotive technician in St. George.

Acord will be starting right out of high school with a career — although he doesn’t plan to stop.

“I’m going to study the medical field,” Acord said. Rather than working the grind of fast food, retail or call centers like many college students, Acord will be able to make good money while continuing his studies, said Dave Sorensen, a counselor at RHS.

“Cayden has been aggressive in exploring different career paths,” Sorensen said. He said by utilizing offerings at both the Sevier Career and Technical Education Center and Snow College Richfield, Acord has set himself up for success.
Sorensen said by utilizing CTE courses and enrolling in Snow College technical programs while still in high school, students can explore a wide variety of careers, but also pursue depth in them, like Acord.

“I’ve been in a lot of CTE classes … welding, engineering, robotics and machine tools,” Acord said. He said each class emphasized hands-on experiences.

“The biggest piece to me was the teachers,” Acord said. He said teachers at the CTE encouraged students to get their hands on things as much as possible.

“That’s what worked for me, working through my mind and my hands,” Acord said.

Learning through one’s hands became key for Anthony Madriz. When he started out at South Sevier High School as a sophomore, he had 1.7 of the required 32 credits needed for graduation. Things looked grim, but by mapping out a pathway to graduation that included CTE courses, he is now on track to have his diploma on schedule.

Madriz responded to the CTE courses, and enrolled in Snow’s welding program. Now with a certification under his belt, when Madriz graduates, he’ll hit the workforce as a skilled welder. Madriz also has a job lined up after graduation.

Buses take students from the South Sevier and North Sevier area each school day so students can take advantage of CTE and Snow College offerings in Richfield.

North Sevier students Noah Porter and Mitch Sorensen both earned their associate of applied science degrees in machine tool technology.

“I started going over there with my brother,” Porter said. He said soon he was enrolled at Snow, and now he’s planning to work in the field while studying how to be a gunsmith.

“I had no idea you could do the things you can do over there,” Sorensen said. He said the machine tools shop at the college is top of the line, and the instructors are flexible.

“There’s very little classroom time, it’s almost all in the shop,” Sorensen said. He said he plans to transfer down to Dixie State University and continue to study machine tool technology.
Sorensen said he also liked being able to earn college credits for much less money than it would have cost had he waited until after high school.

“We’ve had 20 to 30 other students catch the these guys’ excitement,” said Barry Smith, faculty advisor at NSHS. “They’ve become a pair of leaders for these kids.”

The ultimate goal of education is to prepare young people to be able to function as adults, said Cade Douglas, superintendent of Sevier School District. He said the district’s partnership with Snow College Richfield and the CTE center are opportunities to give students a jump-start on post-high education and job training.

“College is important, as long as you look at it as one, two, four or more,” Douglas said. He said technical training and certificates can be just as, if not more valuable, than a traditional four-year degree for many students.

“A lot of our students have no interest in a four-year degree,” Douglas said. “That doesn’t mean that we can’t still set them up for success.”
During the 2016-17 school year more than 1,400 students in Sevier School District were enrolled in at least one CTE class. Graduation rates for CTE students were higher, at 92.4 percent, as compared to the overall rate of 85 percent.

Snow College’s business and applied technology division offers more than 30 courses to high school students in the areas of allied health, construction technology, business, industrial technology, information technology, cosmetology and transportation technology.

“Our system is very flexible and Snow has been wonderful to work with us on an individual basis,” Douglas said.

For more information on the CTE program visit your High School Counselor or Sevier CTE Center
Administrator Jennifer Christensen (545-201-6120).

Salina Sun – CTE Article May 2018

Two exceptional North Sevier high school students, top of their class, smart, talented, close supportive families, could be anything they want in life- and they’ve got it! With hard work, dedication, and the flexibility of the CTE program of the Sevier School District and Snow College.

Noah Porter, son of Bobby and Jill Porter, Redmond, and Mitch Sorensen, son of Brady and Julie Sorensen, Aurora, graduated from North Sevier High School class of 2017 and also earned their Associate of Applied Science Degrees. Both have begun their careers and can use their education and skills as either a stepping-stone to further their education, like Mitch is planning to do, or make it their career path as Noah plans to do.

The two attended a career day at Snow College while sophomores at NSHS and saw a demonstration of several machine tools from the Industrial Technology Department at Snow College, and Mitch was hooked- he knew that’s what he wanted to do. The demonstration solidified Noah’s plans, as his older brother Mac was already enrolled in the program.

Working with school counselor Barry Smith, the two, among others, began their journey through the Career and Technology program and now, right out of high school, both have jobs that pay $25/hour. Mitch plans to use a scholarship he’s earned with stellar grades from Snow College to continue his education at Dixie, while working part time making $25/hour… rather than minimum wage as most poor college kids do. Noah is currently employed thanks to his Associate of Applied Science, as a gunsmith, just what he’s always wanted to do.

“What’s impressive to me is the knowledge these students have gained in their professions,” said Cade Douglas, Superintendent of Sevier Schools. “The comfort level at which they’re speaking about the things they’ve learned- that’s what gets you a job.”

Now, compare these two success stories with another CTE pathway completer: Two years ago South Sevier High School’s sophomore Anthony Madriz had a tough start to high school, beginning his sophomore year with only 1.7 credits- rather than the 7-10 he should’ve had- he was at least a full year behind. To some, that would be a quick road to failure, a reason to quit. But, working with his school counselor and through the local CTE program, Madriz has graduated not only with his high school diploma, but also with his welding certificate, and is now successfully employed, making $25/hour with the potential for immediate growth.

“What’s neat about the CTE program is all students can get involved in something they’ll be successful with,” said Douglas. “Motivation is all about success and choice. Anthony is a great example of this; with the flexibility of the CTE program he was able to learn and succeed. Sure, it took work and dedication on his part, but he worked with his school counselor to map out what needed to happen and he did it. When he found something he was successful at, it motivated him to do his best.”

Douglas said there is a big push in recent years for all high school graduates to attend college, but he said that doesn’t necessarily mean the traditional four-year college to become a teacher or doctor or something like that- rather he said college is 1,2, 4 or more years, and that’s where the CTE program comes in.

“There’s this national trend that everyone need to go to college, but college means additional training beyond high school to obtain a one-year certificate, a two-year associate or technical degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree, or more (a graduate or professional degree),” said Douglas. “60% of new jobs will require more than a high school diploma by the year 2020 and we need to get our students ready. But, many students have no interest in a four-year college, they want to work with their hands. The world needs all sorts of variety, and that’s where the CTE program comes in.”

Career and Technical Education pathways provide students access to high-quality rigorous career- focused programs that result in attainment of credentials with labor market value. The school district has 1,406 students enrolled and 92.4% of students who are CTE concentrators (those who have completed 1.5 credits in a specific program), are graduates, compared to Sevier School District’s graduation rate of 85%. Classes range from cosmetology to nursing, pharmacy technicians to welders and ag mechanics to outdoor leadership and entrepreneurship and business marketing.

One more student whose life has been enhanced by the CTE program, Richfield High School Senior Caydan Acord. Not a fan of traditional high school English and Math classes, Acord started taking classes through the CTE program his sophomore year and has successfully studied Robotics, Engineering, Machine Tools, Computer Coding, Welding and Medical fields, all of which gave him not only high school AND college credit, but also an introduction to a wide variety of career possibilities.

“I thought I wanted to go into engineering, but after taking a couple of classes at Snow I decided that isn’t what I wanted to do, so I kept trying classes until I found out what I think I’d like to make a career of,” said Acord. “A lot of students just take electives at their high school just to fill credits to graduate, but I was able to do some exploring, while getting college credits, and I was also able to experience what college is really like. I wanted to drop out of school because I wasn’t doing very well and I didn’t like it, but my counselor kept finding different classes and suggesting I try different things and he kept me going. The teachers in the CTE program really give you a lot of hands on learning time, and for me, learning like that is so much easier.”

Four different students, four varying stories, but all success stories due to the CTE program.

“I want to celebrate what these students have accomplished,” said Douglas. “They have done some amazing things through the CTE program. I also want parents and students to know of the countless opportunities that are available through our programs- which can be started right now, while they’re in high school. Utah’s Governor Gary Herbert has named 2018 the year of Technical Education with his focus on key initiatives to make technical education programs more accessible to students and our CTE program is a big part of that.”

In Sevier District, 900 CTE skill certificates have been awarded and 109 students received an annual CTE scholarship and tuition award to a Utah public college or university. In addition, 374 students are members of a Career and Technical Student Organization, and 36 industry- recognized certifications have been earned through the Microsoft Image Academy and Certiport partnership.

CTE career pathways with the highest completer rates within Sevier District include protective services, agricultural systems technology, food production and processing systems, design technology, cabinetmaking/millwork, animal systems, entrepreneurship and management, and family and human services. The top two earned industry certifications are Principles of Engineering and Introduction to Engineering Design.

For more information on the CTE program visit your High School Counselor or Sevier CTE Center Administrator Jennifer Christensen (545-201-6120).

Dear Sevier School District Parents and Guardians,

Please read the following PDF document regarding District Safety

Open Safety Announcement PDF

Click to download the PDF version