Mental Health, School Security Subects of St. Charles Summit

St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 wants to look at community mental health as it relates to school security and is reconvening Summit 303 later this month to do so.

While traditionally viewed as a private issue dealt with by individuals or families, Summit 303 will begin by viewing community mental health as a key to school security, according to a release from School District 303.

The first in this series of Summit 303 meetings is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, in the Little Theatre at . All community members are invited to participate in these community engagement sessions.

According to the District 303 release, Superintendent Dr. Don Schlomann’s Dec. 16, 2012 message to St. Charles parents in the wake of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., was the impetus for this latest gathering of Summit.

Related:

Dec. 17, 2012: District 303 Plans Changes After Newtown Tragedy

Dec. 17, 2012: Dr. Schlomann's Email to District 303 Parents

“Just as we did on the topic of student suicide and depression,” Dr. Schlomann wrote, “we are going to turn our attention to prevention. We are going to utilize the power that resides in our teachers and staff members and their knowledge of and familiarity with the kids who attend our schools.”

District 303 and school districts all around the nation are reviewing safety and security procedures in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in mid-December, in which a deranged gunman killed 20 children and six adults at the Connecticut school.

As the events of that day indicated, locks and procedure manuals do not guarantee the prevention of school violence, the district’s release states.

“There is a human element to these types of incidents,” Schlomann said. “At Summit 303, we want to explore if, and then how, we as a community can do a better job of identifying that someone is becoming disconnected from their family and friends. We all need to know what to do to help that person get support long before they feel compelled to take drastic action.”

District 303 is joined and supported in this effort by the St. Charles Education Association, the city of St. Charles, the St. Charles Police Department, the St. Charles Public Library, several faith- based community organizations and mental health and wellness organizations in the Tri-Cities.

According to District 303, Summit 303 participants will use discussions to develop community recommendations.

Community involvement in Summit 303 is vital to its success and the District is extending an open invitation to participate in the monthly meetings. All Summit 303 meetings will be held at the St. Charles East High School Little Theatre from 7 to 9 p.m.

To register for the first Summit 303 meeting, or for more information, call 331-228-2000 or email: summit303@d303.org.

Summit 303 meeting dates:

• Session No. 1 — Wednesday, March 20
• Session No. 2 — Wednesday, April 24
• Session No. 3 — Thursday, May 9
• Session No. 4 — Thursday, May 23

Additional information can be found at www.d303.org.

SOURCE: St. Charles Community Unit School District 303

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