Pullman School District

COVID-19 & SEL

In my opinion the worst thing about this pandemic is how it is affecting us all emotionally and socially, but most importantly is its effect on our students. Pullman School District has increased its services to help all our students – each elementary school has a counselor, there are two counselors at Lincoln Middle School and three at Pullman High School. There are also psychologists available at our schools as well as Dr. Jessica Viergutz-Cavagnetto the district’s School-Based Mental Health Therapist who offers telepsychology for students until they can meet in person. You can find information on these services in the School Based Mental Health Operational Handbook which can be found on the PullmanSchools. org website under Departments>Special Services>School Based Mental Health.

Dr. Michael Dunn, Superintendent of the NorthEast Washington Educational Service Department 101, explained to me that the Inland Northwest Behavioral Health Hospital (the largest public-access behavioral health hospital in the Inland Northwest) is reaching out to educators in our region to help us all in dealing with this time of emotional/behavioral/mental/psychological struggles. Check out www. inlandnorthwestbh.com.

Franklin Elementary School Counselor, Katie Evermann, recommends virtual calming spaces that the teachers can access and share with their students. Katie also says “My go to right now regarding social emotional support for K-5 students and teachers is the Committee for Children SecondStep.org which can be found at https://www.secondstep.org/ covid19support”. Second Step is the social emotional curriculum adopted by the District. Access to their website is free for anyone through December. Check out the Second Step SEL (Social Emotional Learning) section for Adults Resilience During Crisis Modules. It recognizes that students are not the only ones who need support right now. It really is a great program especially for our younger students.

Other sites that I recommend are virtual calming rooms – for everyone – young and old. I just did a Google search for calming rooms and many options were offered – some with music, some with animals, lots of choices to help you re-group and can be helpful when things get to be too much.

One more thing. Parents/guardians or students can call their school office and ask to be connected to the counselor or they can call or email the counselor directly.

• Franklin Elementary School 509-334-5641

Counselor: Katie Evermann, kevermann@psd267.org, ext. 1604 • Jefferson Elementary School 509-332-2617

Counselor: Abigail Lawton, alawton@psd267.org, ext. 1505 • Sunnyside Elementary School 509-334-1800

Psychologist/Counselor: Katie Vandemark, kvandemark@psd267.org, ext. 1403 • Kamiak Elementary School 509-336-7205

Psychologist: Alexa Broughton, abroughton@psd267.org, ext. 1403

Counselor: Rhae Young, ryoung@psd267.org, ext. 1703 • Lincoln Middle School 509-334-3411

Psychologist: Susan Horstman, shorstman@psd267.org, ext. 1315

Counselor: Paula Cartwright, pcartwright@psd267.org, ext. 1316 • Pullman High School 509-332-1551

Psychologist: Eugene Baldeck, ebaldeck@psd267.org, ext.1216 • Counselors:

Eugene Baldeck - Last Name: A - B, ebaldeck@psd267.org, ext. 1216

Deanna Kile - Last Name: C - L, dkile@psd267.org, ext. 1282

Kellie Glaze - Last Name: M - Z, kglaze@psd267.org, ext. 1235

Every person I contacted recommended the Washington State Department of Health “Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families - Supporting Children and Teens During the COVID-19 Pandemic” (publication 821-105) which was issued July 2020 which can be found on their website at doh.wa.gov. This handbook is loaded with help for toddlers and preschool children through high school age, what problems to look for, as well as how to handle them.

And if the above Handbook isn’t enough, the DOH has a “COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group Impact Reference Guide” (publication 821-104) with even more information.

I really hope this helps.

Susan Weed

Board of Directors

Jim Evermann Director, District 3 jfe@psd267.org

Nathan Roberts Director, District 4 nroberts@psd267.org

Amanda Tanner Director, District 5 atanner@psd267.org

Allison Munch-Rotolo Director, District 2 Amunch-rotolo@psd267.org

President Susan Weed Director, District 1 Sweed@psd267.org

Kid Kinder visited Franklin Elementary classrooms for Bullying Prevention Month. Captain Compassion will be making an appearance at some point this month too. Here is the link for more info about these characters:

https://www.cfchildren.org/resources/ bullying-prevention-information/

Equity at the Forefront of Reopening

During Fall 2020, Covid-19 continues to disrupt many aspects of our “normal” home, school, work, community relationships, expectations, and routines. While the return to school this fall has been challenging for our students, families, and educators in Pullman Public Schools, our district’s focus on equity highlights the reason for hope and reveals an opportunity to design education that works for all students. As the school year progresses, we will continue to focus on effective, efficient, culturally relevant, and contextually appropriate decision making when planning school district programs.

We understand that our students, families, and educators have experienced several disruptions to life and instruction since Spring 2020, and we will continue to keep in mind how the varying needs of our students, families, and staff may continue to cause disruptions for students, families, and educators throughout the next year.

We will continue to identify opportunity gaps among students, and realize some may be larger than ever before due to unequal access to instruction. And while some students may have maintained or increased social, emotional, and academic skills during distance learning, many students, especially students with disabilities, have experienced interruptions to equitable access. Due to this, our school district continues to provide in-person access to social, emotional, behavioral, and academic supports to our students with or at risk for disabilities.

When Whitman County Public Health gives us the green light to provide in-person social, emotional, behavioral, and academic supports for even more students in our schools, we can guarantee the structure of school will look different with environmental changes to enable physical distancing practices for keeping safe and healthy learning environments. For example, students will be required to wear masks and maintain physical distance during the school day. Students will remain in their classroom cohorts for the day, even during lunch and recess opportunities.

Given all of the current conditions, we must with intent and purpose create teaching and learning environments with a multi-tiered system of support framework so all students experience lively, positive, and helpful relationships that aim to reach the unique and individual academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs, and to promote and prioritize positive and equitable outcomes for all students. While our roadmap to reopen our schools continues to evolve, we will continue to support safe, supportive, equitable learning environments in whatever form our transition back to “normal” school takes.

Evan Hecker

Kamiak Elementary Principal

The Pullman School District Board of Directors and the Pullman School District shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities programs without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorablydischarged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation (including gender expression or identity), marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, participation in the Boy Scouts of America or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment.

The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Roberta Kramer, Assistant Superintendent, Pullman School District Administrative Offices, 240 SE Dexter Street, Pullman, WA 99163, 509.332.3144. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in the application process by contacting the Personnel Coordinator at (509) 332-3584.

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Dave Gibney was honored as a Board Member Emeritus from Friends of Gladish. With Dave, left, is board president David Harder and on the right Richard Domey who created the gift for the honoree.

At a special mid-October program Friends of Gladish recognized David Gibney as Board Member Emeritus for his for his long-time service to the community and cultural center.

Gibney’s service with Gladish started with helping set up bookkeeping and finance plans. He continued by keeping the Board up-to-date on monthly actual financial numbers. Dave’s partner, the late Jean Chew, wrote the application for non-profit status which was an essential prerequisite for future fundraising.

Gladish’s first years were literally touch and go in keeping spending even with income. Every expenditure during those early years required careful consideration with both short term and long term planning. He brought Gladish up-to-date with his knowledge of Quick Books and Excel. For more than 20 years he kept the Board on the right track regarding income and expenditures and often led the planning for on-going projects.

Peggy Ray, Dave and others worked together for grants to up-date many of the crucial elements of the auditorium. Those arts grants totaled more than $50,000 which bought curtains, curtain hardware, sound equipment, as well as lights and dimmer controls to Gladish. Matching funds were the building purchase price and the new elevator.

Dave also worked on the planning and installation of the internal communications system as well as early internet wiring and connections.

Peggy wrote a $200,000 grant proposal to the Murdock Foundation for the bridge and Dave stepped out of his IT field to serve as the project manager and Gladish representative with oversight of the actual construction.

Dave has served continuously from 1997 to 2020 either Gladish as treasurer, as vice president or as president over that period of 23 years.

Perhaps one of his least known, but best roles for many years, has been as Santa Claus for the children of Gladish.

“The Friends of Gladish will be eternally grateful for Dave Gibney’s dedication and service to the Gladish Community and Cultural Center,” said David Harder, board president, when making the award.

Dave became interested in the Gladish situation when watching the city council and school district discussing ownership of the former school. Later Kemble Stout, one of the early organizers of the new nonprofit, asked him to join as board treasurer.

He lists several projects as part of great personal growth for him: Installing the elevator, building the bridge, fixing the boiler and remodeling the View Room and the Rec Room.

“Being part of something good and good for the community,” he said, and being part of the small number of very unique and strong people, without whom, Gladish wouldn’t be there.” He still found time for community work. He currently is a member on the Pullman Civil Service Commission.

Dave has been a member of both the City of Pullman, and the Whitman County Planning Commissions for the last decade and chaired the Pullman Commission several years.

Tentant Spotlight

Kristine Zakarison was a certified yoga instructor prior to opening Aloft at Gladish Community and Cultural Center.

“I wanted to teach yoga in a studio that prioritized yoga for a wide variety of bodies and needs,” she said.

Zakarison also teaches a form of dance called Nia that focuses on safe cardio movement for all bodies She has long been interested in yoga and dance as therapeutic modalities.

“I am now completing a specialized training (over 1000 hours of total training required) to be a certified Yoga Therapist,” she said. “I have a specialization in yoga to address trauma and so, in addition to more ‘standard’ yoga classes, I wanted to be able to offer this specialized practice on the Palouse.”

Another element of Aloft that is important to Zakarison is the community itself. Prior to moving into full time teaching, she served as the minister in a local church. “Creating spaces that enhance community has long been important to me,” she said. The Aloft owner grew up in Pullman and went to middle school at Gladish. (“go Gladiators!”). “I appreciate being part of a community center that offers such a range of services and classes to our community,” she said. Right now, per the laws of the state, all classes are on-line. Staff size varies, but most have received their yoga certification through Aloft and so they bring the same commitment to yoga, taught safely to a variety of clientele with varied needs. Zakarison has taught school children, families, students, Kristine Zakarison seniors, people with a variety of therapeutic needs, and worked in collaboration with the Pullman Fire Department, Alternatives to Violence, among others. She has led yoga as part of retreats for the LGBTQ community. The studio prioritizes being a welcoming community to all, she said.

There has been some change in the number and style of classes since Aloft opened.

“I teach more classes now, but balanced with more private clients,” Zakarison said. “Teaching on-line means that I now teach beyond the Pullman and Moscow communities, though I think we all look forward to a time when we can be together as a community again. Right now we have around 10-15 online classes a week.”

The staff cannot currently teach in person, so all Nia and yoga are online. She is able to see individual therapy clients with masks and distancing, but also does online therapy.

The website has more information about Aloft and its classes: aloft-yoga.com.

GLADISH BRIEFS Gladish, Happy Day Catering offer deals

Friends of Gladish and Happy Day catering have joined forces to provide another spot in Pullman where meals and snacks with meetings can be scheduled easily.

“The room rent may be lower if the group uses our catering service,” said John Ayers, Gladish general manager.

Check with the Gladish Office staff for details and prices. The menu also is expected at the Gladish website soon.

Pumpkin activities readied

The children of the Montessori School of Pullman will begin Halloween activities on Oct. 29 with crafts, a pumpkin hunt and traditional Halloween tales acted out by their elementary students. Activities will continue into November with studies of the life cycle of pumpkins and opportunities for pumpkin art, pumpkin hammering-a favorite activity- and pumpkin polishing.

Vitalant blood drives set

Gladish Community and Cultural Center is hosting a blood drive for Vitalant in Room 211 on Monday, Oct. 26; Monday, Nov. 2; Friday, Nov. 6; Monday, Nov. 9; Monday, Nov. 9; and Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. Visit www.vitalant.org for details and to sign up to donate.

Gladish Community and Cultural Center Business Directory • GLADISH is great for Education… Celebrations… Performances… and Events. Contact us today.

ARTS

• Community Band of the Palouse, 509-334-6270 • North Star Music • Red Dog Art Room, Rhonda Skaggs, 509-339-3891 • Trisha Mallet Piano Studio 509-592-3610 • WA-ID Symphony, 208-874-4162

CHILD CARE AND RESOURCES

• The Learning Center, 334-1234 • Montessori School of Pullman 334-4114 • YMCA of the Palouse

FITNESS/WELLNESS

AA District 2 Aloft Yoga and Nia, aloft-yoga.com E. WA Surf Soccer Club Palouse, Brandon Schreiner Lifespan Counseling, 206-910-7138 Mantis Martial Arts LLC Palouse River Rollers Pullman Kokondo Academy 509-995-2894 Rolling Hills Derby Dames rollinghillsderbydames.com Wheat Whackers www.wheatwhackers.com

FOODS

A&Y Cuisine

ORGANIZATIONS

Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, 509-332-4357 Amalgamated Transit Union American Legion Post 52 Apostolic Faith, 509-338-5869 Friends of Hospice, 509-332-4414 Good Deeds Mortgage, 509-339-7110 Idiopathics Mumma Insurance, 425-455-1406 jeffm@mummainsurance.com • Plateau Archaeological Investigations 332-3830 • Whitman County Genealogical

Society Library, 332-2386 • Whitman County Historical Society

Archives, 334-3940 • Whitman County Humane Society • Whitman Window Cleaning, LLC • Work Source, 509-553-3496 mwood@esd.wa.gov

SCHOOLS

• AC Driving School, Room 306 • Pullman Community Montesorri (Public School) Please support your community center and become a Friend of Gladish. Send a $35 (Individual), $50(Family) or $100 (Business) donation to: 115 NW State St., Suite 212A, Pullman, WA 99163 Or give online here:

www.gladishcommunity.org

Email us: Gladish@pullman.com