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TheMesaTribune.com |
THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021
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MPS partners with behavioral health agency BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Tribune Contributor
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erros Health and Mesa Public Schools are partnering to provide behavioral health services to students in grades pre-K through sixth. Last year, Mesa Public Schools reported a sharp decline in students enrolled in preschool and kindergarten, largely due to pandemic-driven closures and fear of COVID-19. Without proper socialization and routines, young students may struggle adjusting to in-person learning, said Michele Grimaldi, community partnership coordinator for Mesa Public Schools. “If COVID taught us anything, it’s that kids really need that interaction,” she said. “Kids can’t get everything from technology. They need socialization. They need to practice routines and how to get along with others.”
screens to keep them company. While technology can be bene�icial, lacking in-classroom experience can result in severe emotional and behavioral issues, Grimaldi said. “We’re seeing kids who have not had your typical socialization,” she said. “They might have missed preschool and are entering kindergarten without school routines, structure – all of those academic skills that you would want ahead of time. “You can’t fault these chilMichele Grimaldi, community partnership coordinator for dren who may not have had Mesa Public Schools, said the Terros-district partnership will exposure to others or been help young children. (Special to the Tribune) in a regular routine.” During the pandemic, many children Recognizing that early learning is a were isolated at home with nothing but foundation of future success, Mesa Public
Schools and Terros Health forged a partnership last year initially designed to help preschoolers make a smooth transition to kindergarten. Because it has pre-kindergarten behavioral health specialists, Terros Health was assigned to all preschool programs in the Mesa Public Schools district. In August, the partnership expanded to help K-6 students overcome emotional, social and developmental challenges at three elementary schools: Washington, Whittier and Sirrine. Terros Health is just one of �ive behavioral health agencies in partnership with MPS, the largest school district in Arizona with approximately 64,000 students at 82 schools. “My goal is to get all schools a formal behavioral health partner,” Grimaldi said. “At this point, we have a partner at every high
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Schnepf Farms to start pumpkin/chili fest TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
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wenty-four years ago, Carrie and Mark Schnepf had an idea of hosting a 3-hour pumpkin and chili party on their Queen Creek farm. Now, that part-of-a-day event “to get people ready for fall” has evolved into a �ive-week Pumpkin & Chili Party that will begin Friday, Oct. 1, and run every Thursday through Sunday throughout October. Carrie recalled that for that one evening long ago, “We served our famous chili dinner, hired a great band, had a petting zoo, train ride and marshmallow roasting.” All that is still offered – plus a lot more. The party includes some returning favorites such as the 4-acre pumpkin patch, 10-acre Celebrity Maze, 4-acre
corn maze, zip lines, mini golf, amusement rides, scarecrow making, Hillbilly Bob’s pig races, unique shopping, train rides, hay rides, bon�ires, marshmallow roasting, live music and more. In all, the $23.95 admission covers 30 attractions and rides – though pumpkins, chili dinners and the newly added haunted school bus called “The Wreckening” are extra. Added to a list of amusement rides that already includes a roller coaster, swings, carousel and Extreme Hyperloop is a Super Slide. For anyone with underlying conditions who want anyone around them to be masked, the Schnepfs are holding a special noon-8 p.m. opening on a Wednesday, Oct. 13. “The farm will not mandate daily mask wearing, but will strongly urge everyone to social distance and be
kind to those who do wear masks,” said Carrie. Added her husband, a fourth-generation farmer: “Our family farm is our home, and we hope our guests will respect one another and just relax and enjoy each other and all that the farm has to offer.” Other safety measures the Schnepfs are following include sanitizing all rides daily and installing sanitizing stations for guests. The farm also is limiting attendance and, like last year, is selling tickets only online. Carrie also said that just like many businesses, the farm has been hit by labor shortages. So, she advises “expect a few lines in some areas.” Purchase tickets at schnepffarms. com ■
