Wisconsin State Superintendent Jill Underly visits PCSD, meets with students to discuss mental health initiatives

Wisconsin State Superintendent Jill Underly visits PCSD, meets with students to discuss mental health initiatives

Hillcrest Hope Squad gather to present to State Superintendent Underly and DPI staff.

The Pulaski Community School District welcomed visitors from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on Wednesday, October 23, to share the considerable efforts undertaken by district staff in areas to improve the mental health of PCSD students. Among the visitors: Jill Underly, state superintendent, Tacara Lovings, policy initiatives advisor, Paul Manriquez, assistant state superintendent, Division for Learning Support, Libby Strunz, school mental health consultant, and Cristin Jones, comprehensive school mental health consultant.

The group from the Wisconsin DPI participated in discussions about Pulaski Community School District’s Hope Squads, compassion resilience training, and morning meetings to promote relationship-building. PCSD received state funding to support comprehensive mental health systems over a 2-year period through the DPI’s Get Kids Ahead Initiative. The funding is dedicated towards improving and supporting student and staff mental health.

Each PCSD school has their own Hope Squad or Jr. Hope Squad with the express intent of improving mental health and preventing suicides/self-harm. At the elementary level, efforts include creating positive relationships between students of K-5 grade levels, practicing words of affirmation and standing up to bullying. Elementary students, Henry Burns and Heidi Zemple, and staff members, Devin Palomaki, Becky Barry and Jaime Somerville, from Hillcrest Elementary School shared their passion for Hillcrest Huddles, a program that unites students from grades K-5 for friendship, mentorship and practicing positive social behaviors/interactions. At Glenbrook Elementary School, two students from each of the four 5th grade classrooms are nominated by their peers for Jr. Hope Squad. Co-facilitators Candice Bogacz and Cora Blackburn lead their students through a variety of leadership activities throughout the school year to engage in being positive role models for all.

State Superintendent Underly and her team learned from Pulaski High School Hope Squad members Crosby Willette and Sydnee Jennings, and advisors Shelby Kaisershot and Jeff Waggoner, about the immense impact the program has already had since its formation in 2022. Members are now north of 50, and referrals continue to climb. Their events include an annual Hope Week, trainings on suicide prevention, and creating an inclusive environment for all. Students have been able to demonstrate their leadership skills through the Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit in Madison, as well as the Green Bay Empower event at Lambeau Field.

In the classroom, DPI staff observed lessons supporting PCSD’s social, emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, PurposeFull People. Students learn a variety of strategies around the three key ideas of Be Kind, Be Strong and Be Well. Emotional regulation, social skills and executive functioning skills are some of the areas in which students receive regular lessons, practice, sing songs and play games to improve their overall wellbeing.

During the visit, Underly commended students and staff for their work in combating stigmas surrounding mental health and for being leaders and advocates for positive social behaviors.

Lara Kuchenbecker, PCSD’s assistant director of student services, coordinated the visit. “We were excited to highlight the amazing work our students and staff have done to support the mental health of all of our stakeholders,” said Kuchenecker. “We look forward to seeing these efforts continue in the future, positively impacting our students, staff, families and our greater community.”