Infusing a Caring Climate Into Your School

1. Infusing a Caring Climate Into Your School Sandy Austin, Counselor Green mountain High School 2012 ASCA webinar

2. The need • From Nov. 5, 2001 to Dec. 3, 2001, Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, Colorado experienced the suicides of three students. • On July 18, 2002 another student took his life. • As a result of the four suicides in 8 months, Ms. Austin spent the next couple years searching for how students were falling through the cracks and ways to reach out to them.

3. The problem • Students knew their friends were struggling, but • Didn’t want to “tattle” • Didn’t want to break a confidence • Didn’t want their friends to get mad. • The climate of the school needed to be changed!

4. The challenge! Society thinks that young people only care about themselves. I know that young people DO care about others, and I want to challenge you to say ‘Believe It Or Not I Care’ with your lives and become ‘B.I.O.N.I.C.’ people.” Dr. Earl Reum Speech to Student Councils in Jeffco School District, 1977

5. The challenge • “Believe It Or Not I Care” • Saying from Dr. Earl Reum • Early 1970’s Jeffco Schools Student Council -- Exec. Council Theme • Society’s views of teens

6. The reality • Students who face illness, loss, family moves, etc. have needs that often aren’t met, so they may get behind on school work, have a drop in grades, and/or experience loneliness. As a result the following problems may begin to arise: • Attendance problems • Discipline problems • Academic problems

7. Research shows • “A caring school environment can increase students’ feelings of empathy for others, reduce inter-group tensions and antisocial behavior, improve moral judgment and build positive feelings toward others. By creating nurturing environments, school counselors and teachers encourage children to want to come to school, thus improving attendance and motivation.” Building Connections, Communication, and Character in the Classroom Mary Ann Clark, Ph.D. www.schoolcounselor.org

8. Research shows • "Students are more likely to do well in school if they feel supported and understood by their teachers and peers at school." Jack O’Connell California State Superintendent of Public Instruction California Dept. of Education News Release December 8, 2008

9. How b.i.o.n.i.c. Got started • Ms. Austin -- Green Mountain High School Counselor, Peer Counseling Co-Sponsor • Carissa & Robbie – GMHS Seniors • Pie Outreach – to “test the waters” • 25 Pies – 13 students, 12 staff • Home and School deliveries • Creative Foods class baked 22 pies, parents baked three pies

10. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • There was a need! • Our Mission–“The B.I.O.N.I.C. Team is an organization designed to help students, students’ families, and staff through challenging times.”

11. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Our Goals • To make new students feel welcome • To reach out to students with extended illnesses/health conditions. • To reach out to hospitalized students • To reach out to students and their families and staff that experience the death of a loved one • To reach out to other schools that experience tragedies

12. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Created five smaller teams within the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team • New Student Team – Monthly Lunch & “Survival Kit” • Extended Illness Team – Absent 5 days – get well packet • Hospitalization Team – mug & Hershey’s kisses/balloon • Loss Team – pie (or bread for staff) • School Tragedy Team – 28-30 foot poster and possibly mini candy bars with B.I.O.N.I.C.labels

13. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • First Meeting – 60 students • Leadership Positions • 2 B.I.O.N.I.C. Team Student Co-Coordinators • Secretary • 2 Team Leaders (for each individual team) • Other positions – Birthday Coordinator, Fundraising Co-Coordinators, Communications Coordinator • Members – have had over 800 involved in seven years – 190 currently on the team • Outreaches – have reached out to over 40,000 people in seven years

14. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Monthly B.I.O.N.I.C. big team meeting • Last Thursday of month during lunch • To get everyone together – since we don’t all have a chance to be together much • To celebrate what we did the past month • To talk about the coming month • To inspire our members - SPEAKER • To thank our members - PIZZA

15. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Referrals • B.I.O.N.I.C. Team Referral Form • B.I.O.N.I.C. Team Referral Box • B.I.O.N.I.C. Team Referral Locker • E-mail – gmhs_bionicteam@hotmail.com • Follow-up on Referrals • Sponsor calls student or family to get permission for the outreach • Team Leaders plan the outreach and then contact the Communication Reps to let team members know • After the outreach, an outreach evaluation form is filled out

16. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • New Initiatives • To give back to the Team members for all they do: • Guest speakers at big team meeting – Mrs. Ritter, Mr. Bandimere • Birthday cards and treat • “I CARE” Silicone Bracelets – 2 meetings, 2 outreaches, one activity

17. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • One-A-Day Campaign – do one thing a day to make a difference for someone • “I CARE” Awards – for someone who has gone out of their way – money, time, effort • 12-12-12 Let’s Make History Campaign – 1 thing each hour for 12 hours to make a difference in someone’s life

18. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • 12-12-12 (cont’d.) • Four focuses of the day • 1. Individually • 2. School • 3. Rally come or simulcast to your school • 4. “Stop & Serve Stations”

19. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • 12-12-12 (cont’d.) 1. Individually • Reach out to 12 people – one each hour • Make a 10-second video • 12-12-12 Cards • Write a note • Call • Text • Give a gift 12-12-12 Make History Today! (Name of recipient) Thank you for who you are, how you’ve impacted my life & how you make this world a better place! I just wanted to say “believe it or not I care” about you! Sponsored by the Green Mountain High School B.I.O.N.I.C. Team

20. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • 12-12-12 (cont’d.) 2. As a school • Poster in cafeteria to tally number of outreaches • 10-second Videos projected in the Cafeteria during the day • One Page – for people to carry for others to sign • Posters for staff for students to sign • Announcements • Paper chain with names of people outreached to • Positive posters around school

21. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • 12-12-12 (cont’d.) 3. The 12-12-12 Rally – come or watch the simulcast - 3:00-4:00 - At the University of Colorado at Denver • Motivational speakers to encourage students that what they are doing is important • Music • Simulcast through _________ and Twitter

22. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • 12-12-12 (cont’d.) 4. Stop & Serve Community Service Projects • Children’s Hospital • Cards and Disney DVDs • Homeless • Card and white socks • Troops – VA Hospital • Bookmarks and card • Elderly homes • Inspirational saying and card

23. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • 12-12-12 (cont’d.) • How can you get involved? • Have 12-12-12 activities at your school • Come to the rally if you are in the Denver Metro area – register at www.bionicteam.org – 12-12-12 page • If you can’t come to the Rally host “Stop & Serve” Stations at your school for charities in your area – use the examples we will be doing at UCD • Join our BIONIC 12-12-12 Facebook page and make a 10 second video • Follow our @Bionicteam Twitter page • Go to www.bionicteam .org to register your group

24. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Communication • Messenger system – e-mails, texts, phone calls • Videos • Board in Counseling office to sign up for outreaches, etc. • Bulletin board in Commons (cafeteria) • Flyers

25. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Funding/Donations/Fundraisers • Ram Parent Movement (PTA) grant • Local Stores/Restaurants • Coffee Sale • Bake Sale • Burrito Sale • Applying for grants • BBB-BIONIC Benefit Bash • Car Wash • School Calendar • Restaurant nights

26. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Other B.I.O.N.I.C. Outreaches • Tsunami Fundraiser • Breakfast for staff during CSAP • Welcome gift to new staff members • Hurricane Katrina Garage Sale • Massages for Staff • Thanksgiving Dinner Outreach • Souper Bowl • Relay for Restoration – Hurricane Ike victims • Mountain Momentum – three families who their lost homes to fire • Hats for Haiti – students paid $1.00 to wear a hat

27. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Lessons Learned so far? • Rapid growth - 45 members, 100, 189, 200 – how to get word out? • The “Buzz” in the School • Types of leaders • Students committing to too many teams • Students want to reach out to others • Fundraising • Adjustments in deliveries • Hospitalizations missed • H1N1 Risks for our students

28. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • The B.I.O.N.I.C. Team has won many awards • National Philanthropy Day in Colorado “Outstanding • Youth Group Award” - 2007. • Kiwanis Extraordinary ORDINARY Award - 2007 • Asset Builder of the Year Award – 2006 • “Great Kids Building Great Communities” Award – • 2008

29. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Lessons Learned so far? (cont’d.) • A Parent’s Perspective • “As both a father of a BIONIC Team member, and as a police Division Chief, I have been greatly impressed with the level of compassion and community outreach that these kids have demonstrated. These young people clearly demonstrate that they care about more than just themselves. They have compassion for fellow students who are undergoing tragedies and medical difficulties and they understand the sacrifices that members of the military are making for the benefit of all of us. They have developed an internationally recognized program that provides comfort to others, and demonstrates to kids that it’s ‘cool’ to care.” John Camper, Division Chief Lakewood Police Department

30. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Lessons Learned so far? (cont’d.) • A Teacher’s Perspective • “As a teacher at GM for the past 13 years, I can say that I have seen a dramatic change in the climate of our school and there is no doubt in my mind that it is because of the BIONIC Team. It is the only group I have ever seen at our school that reaches out to EVERYONE in crisis--including students, faculty, and staff--showing that we are truly a community of people, rather than a congregation of factions.  BIONIC focuses on the human need for care regardless of who that human is friends with, what classes that human takes, or what activities that human is or is not involved in. BIONIC has taught our student population about humanity, about how to show they care, and how to trustthat others truly do care about them.” Heather Boston, AP English Teacher Green Mountain High School

31. The b.i.o.n.i.c. team • Lessons Learned so far? (cont’d.) • A School Board President’s Perspective • “As President of the Jefferson County Board of Education, I usually hear about what is “wrong” with our young people. How refreshing it was to see this group and to truly understand what is “right” with our youth. In another of my roles I work with older adults in the community where I often hear concern about our future and of our young people. I regularly refer to the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team as an example to assure our community that our future is in good hands. This group helps students understand many life situations that they have not yet had to deal with. It gives them a new way to look at others, at other family situations, and to understand how difficult it is for many students to just survive.” Jane Barnes, Former President Jeffco Schools Board of Education

32. exciting news! The excitement is spreading! • Over 550 schools across the world have started or have shown an interest in possibly starting a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team at their school • Other B.I.O.N.I.C. Schools doing amazing things: • Palmer Ridge High School – Monument, CO • Morris Sunset East High School – Las Vegas, NV • Wayne Carle Middle School – Arvada, CO • Tuckahoe Middle School – Richmond, VA • Del Norte High School – Del Norte, CO • Elementary school in rural Colorado • St. John’s High School/College – Belize, Central America • University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI

33. How to start? • Find interested students • Get administrative approval • Have an information meeting • Start with one team – we recommend a New Student Team. Pick a day, what time is best. Send out invitations. • As you see what the interest is, you can add more teams.

34. Other resources? • We are creating a “Starter Kit” for schools that are interested in starting a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team on their campus. The DVD will be included. • Look for info on our B.I.O.N.I.C. Team conference. • It will feature training for staff and students on how to start a club, and specific level workshops (Elementary, Middle School, High School) by schools that have started a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team at their schools. Workshops will be included on rural issues vs. urban issues regarding outreaches, plus workshops on cultural differences, etc. • Would like your input for a spring or summer conference – go to www.bionicteam.org.

35. Our dream! • We are also looking at possibly doing an international service trip each summer to a school internationally that has started or wants to start a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team. For example, next summer we would like to take a group of students from Green Mountain High School to St. John’s Junior College in Belize. We would do some cross-cultural leadership training for the students at both schools, then we would participate in a service project at a nearby orphanage. What a life changing impact the experience could have on students from both schools!

36. Thank you! • Since you’re participating in this webinar, that shows you care. • Thanks for caring! • Thanks for wanting to make a difference! • If you want more information to start a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team, contact: The B.I.O.N.I.C. Team Sandy Austin, Sponsor Green Mountain High School 13175 W. Green Mountain Drive Lakewood, CO 80228-0118 303-982-9402 bionicteam1@gmail.com