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News & Events

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Training
On December 10 & 11, 2008, thirty elementary staff participated in two full days of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training. Three Waterford School District social workers trained staff.

The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention program is a safe, non-harmful behavior management system designed to help human service professionals provide for the best possible care, welfare, safety, and security of disruptive, assaultive, and out-of-control individuals. Staff learned to identify useful nonverbal techniques to prevent acting out behavior, verbal techniques to de-escalate behavior, and the principles of personal safety to avoid injury if behavior escalates to a physical level. Survey results from participants were positive. Additional trainings are scheduled in January and February 2009.

Anger Management Curriculum
Beginning in January 2009, one of our partners, Waterford Youth Assistance, will begin an Anger Management program at Beaumont Elementary School. Approximately, twelve students, in grades 3-5, will participate in the activity-based program. The program will operate weekly for six weeks during the school day. Pre and post surveys will be conducted.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a multi-level, multi-component, school-based program designed to prevent or reduce bullying. Designed to restructure the existing school environment to reduce opportunities and rewards for bullying, this program has also been shown to reduce substance use and delinquency.

In January, the two middle school prevention specialists, Janet Ritter and Gen Wandrie, will be involved in a two day Training of the Trainer model because of the size of the Waterford School District and the goal of implementing this program in all elementary and middle schools.

Transition Fair
A Transition Fair was scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at the White lake Oaks Country Club. Invitations were sent to five hundred high school parents of students with disabilities. The focus of the Transition Fair was to provide information to students and parents so that the students could begin to plan for a successful transition from school by becoming more independent in the areas of adult living, post-secondary opportunities, and employment. There were approximately sixteen different agencies represented with informational booths that provided the parents and students to obtain brochures and pamphlets, speak with agency representatives, and make appointments to learn more about resources/programs associated with the various agencies/schools. Survey results indicated that the parents thought that the fair was well planned and the information received was very helpful in helping them to guide their son/daughter along the transition road to adulthood.
 

Challenge Day at Kettering High School
On November 10, 11 & 12, 2008, three hundred students from Kettering, Mott and Manley participated along with approximately one hundred adult and staff volunteers. They came together each day for an experience of breaking down barriers and having frank discussions about life in high school. Interactive games, focus groups and sharing were all part of the day’s events. It was an emotional occurrence, where everyone participated in seeing and hearing firsthand how students are affected by all of the pressures of life at home and in school.

Challenge Day is an opportunity for students to communicate about what life is like for them and to begin to break down the barriers of isolation and oppression they may feel at school and in society. By sharing with others, they learn to have empathy, make connections and realize how their behavior and words have affected others. Students have the ability to reflect on their actions, make amends, and show appreciation to those they may have hurt, slighted, or insulted in some way. Students are encouraged and enthusiastic to make a positive change in their school community as well as in their personal lives. They feel empowered to make a difference. From this experience, students begin to speak the same language. The words: “Notice, Choose, and Act” have meaning for them and they begin to use these words as a framework/foundation to build bridges among their classmates at school who are committed to “Be the Change”…. the next step. Students will now begin to form committees to carry on the message through various programs that they would like to initiate.

WOMC Radio Talks About Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant!
Click here to listen!

Press Release
U.S. Department of Education, Health, Human Services, and Justice Awards $5.7 Million to Waterford School District to Promote Safe Schools, Healthy Students

Waterford District Newsletter

Grant Celebration!
A celebration was held for all grant partners, parents, staff, and community members to celebrate the recent grant award and to learn more about the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant.