Fort Calhoun Staff Mental Health Day

On Monday, January 15th, Fort Calhoun Community Schools hosted a Staff Mental Health Day. The goal of the day was for staff to focus on building knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of mental health in order to better meet the needs of the students in Fort Calhoun Community Schools.

The day began with Anita Saalfeld, High School Spanish teacher sharing about her personal journey with mental illness. Following the keynote, staff members attended 6 breakout sessions. Each session allowed FCS staff the opportunity to choose from six presentations in the area of mental health. The session topics included information to use with students, as well as for their own personal mental health. 17 individuals from the field of mental health presented 18 different topics including challenging behaviors, grief, trauma, sleep, nutrition, self-care, anxiety, depression, digital wellness, and sports psychology. 

Sue Miller Harsin therapist from Upper Room Counseling presented a session entitled, Your Body is Talking to You. Sue shared information regarding the importance of self-care including sleep, nutrition, and exercise. There is so much in our lives and in our world that we have no control over. This can cause a sense of despair, exhaustion, depression, and anxiety. We have two amazing resources that are within our control; sleep and nutrition. Focusing on good rest and healthy nutrition can greatly improve our mental health and sense of well-being.” said Miller Harsin.

This event was made possible through NDE grant funding as a part of the School Mental Health Systems of Care Program in collaboration with ESU #3 and Region VI Behavioral Health. https://smhs.esu3.org/


Staff members provided feedback regarding the event. 

“We need to remember as educators to refill our own cup.  Self-care is not selfish, but a vital antidote to compassion fatigue.  Nurturing our well-being ensures we can continue to inspire, guide, and support our students with the passion they deserve.” -Jacque Fischer, 7th-8th grade School Counselor 

“Planning and attending the mental health day put on by our district was an enlightening experience that created shared moments between our staff as well as provided us all with information to better support ourselves and students in multiple areas of mental health.” -Delaney Appel, Elementary Special Education Teacher

Thang Tran from the University of Nebraska Omaha leads his presentation, Navigating A.I. and Mental Health in Schools.

Sue Miller Harsin from Upper Room Counseling presents her sessionYour Body is Talking to You.

Kendall Lanning reads her book entitled The Fox and the Feather to staff during her presentation, Supporting Grief.

Tessa Rutledge, Elementary P.E. Teacher, blows bubbles as a part of a deep breathing exercise during FCS Staff Mental Health Day. 

Alumni Panel Speaks to Upperclassman

Fort Calhoun High School welcomed back 7 graduates on December 15, 2023, for an alumni panel to speak to current juniors and seniors about their post secondary paths. Topics included the alumni’ current career paths (ranging from college and ROTC, to entering the workforce) and what advice they would give the current juniors and seniors.  The juniors and seniors received valuable information to help plan for life after high school. The event is just one example of how the school prepares its students for college, career, and life. This alumni panel is an event the school plans to have on an annual basis.  So if any alumni are interested in being part of the panel in future years, please contact Mr. Wemhoff, Mrs. Hernandez, or Mrs. Krambeck.

Pictured in the top picture L-R Jacob Haggar, Danielle Howell, Rianna Wells, Taya Skelton, Kaitlin Smith, Courtney Smith, Abigail Russell

Thank You Dollar General

On Friday, December 1 representatives from Dollar General presented the Fort Calhoun Special Education department with a donation in the amount of $2000. The donation was specifically designated for classroom sensory supplies, aimed at enhancing the educational experience for students with disabilities in order to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. 
Pictured Left to Right: Joseph Hunter (Dollar General), Deanna Royuk, Jessica Fleischman, Jackie Beckman, Ashley Dougherty, Tara Mueller, Delaney Bruening, Jill Weyer, Amy Wilson, Jerry Green (Superintendent) and Jesse Schulze (Dollar General). Not pictured Delaney Appel.

FCS Hosted the North Community of Practice for Special Education

On Wednesday, November 15th FCS hosted the North Community of Practice for Special Education presented by ESU #3.  The COP included special education teachers and directors from the Arlington, Blair, DC West, and Fort Calhoun school districts. The purpose of the COP was to build the skills and practices of special education staff through networking, collaboration, and exploration of evidence-based practices. This event was a great opportunity for our staff to increase their knowledge of a variety of topics related to special education while building connections with other special education staff in the area. Miranda Adams and Ashley Dougherty were able to showcase the PBIS Program in grades Preschool-6th grade, including our digital program Live School, and the School Store which is run and managed by the Young Adult Program. 

PLC Young Adult Program Students Attend VR Job Expo

On Tuesday, November 7th the PLC Young Adult Program students attended the Nebraska VR Job Expo. This event allowed the students the opportunity to try out a variety of job tasks in different career fields such as order filling, restaurant server, retail clerk, car detailer, and hardware specialist. Students also participated in mock interviews, and small group discussions about topics such self-advocacy, workplace accommodations, and work readiness.

Teammates Mentors Needed

Please consider becoming a Mentor for the Fort Calhoun Chapter. Male Mentors are especially needed right now. Go to Teammates.org and fill out an application.

The Mission of TeamMates is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential through mentoring. Established in 1991 by Tom and Nancy Osborne, TeamMates was formed in an effort to provide support and encouragement to all school-aged youth. The goal is to see young people graduate from high school and pursue a post-secondary education. TeamMates has touched the lives of thousands of youth and mentors across the Midwest. Right now, more than 10,200 matches are meeting in schools across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

The impact of the TeamMates match on the mentee and mentor is profound.

Percentages for our Fort Calhoun Chapter:

 54% of mentees showed improved academic achievement after being matched with their mentor.

 85% of mentors report they feel more hopeful after meeting with their mentee.

 98% of mentees say they trust their mentor.

 More than 95% of mentees report that they are happy when they meet with their mentor, that their mentor talks to them about what they do well, they feel important when they are with their mentor and that they trust their mentor.

 Attendance amongst mentees has improved by 67%

 Reported Behavioral Problems with mentees has dropped 90%

TeamMates has been recognized as a “Best Practice” mentoring organization which means the structure, policy and procedures are in place for a safe and consistent program. TeamMates adheres to the Elements of Effective Practice which were developed by the National Mentoring Partnership as the national standards for running a quality mentoring program.

The National Mentoring Partnership reports 1 in 3 children will go through life without a mentor. TeamMates believes all children, no matter their life experience, can benefit from a relationship with a safe, caring adult. You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to be there.

It truly is a rewarding experience for both mentor and mentee. “I don’t do this for the accolades, but when my mentee says ‘thank you’ or ‘good to see you’, it touches me to my core,” Mentor Teri Zavadil said.

The Fort Calhoun Chapter currently has 29 matches and our goal is 45. There are children waiting to be matched within our school district, so mentors are in high demand right now. You need to meet with your mentee once a week during the school year for 20 minutes to an hour depending on their schedule. You have to be at least 18 years old and you will need to pass a background check.

Please consider becoming a Mentor for the Fort Calhoun Chapter. Go to Teammates.org and fill out an application.

If you have any questions, please call 877-531-8326 to speak to a member of the Teammates Team or 402-237-9558 to talk to the Fort Calhoun Coordinator, Teri.

Thank you!

 

HS Students Attend Career Fair

A career fair was held in Herman at the Anbe Event Center and included area employers featuring entry-level skilled laborer/technician positions varying from surveying, roofing, car detailing, welding, electrical, and machine operation.

Mrs. Hernandez, the FCHS counselor, took ten pioneer students to the event.  Student Westin Buckley said he enjoyed it because it was an opportunity to learn about the businesses and ask them questions.

Students attending included

Seniors – Westin Buckley, Jacob Sundberg, Xander Bender, and John Reeh 

Juniors – Wes Short and Fred Altstadt

Sophomores – Mason Wright, Dylan Kruse, Matthew Smith, and Cooper Daude.