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North Branch School Board heard last week about  pro-active drills, exercises, communication and inter-district collaboration aimed at developing well orchestrated crisis management.  North Branch’s buildings and grounds are serving as the hub for area emergency responders, two other districts and municipal peacekeepers who have been coming together working on improving school safety.

Superintendent Sara Paul told School Board members it’s all about a “shared approach” when the staff and community know and understand levels of response to critical situations.  

There may be a “hold” emergency  that entails simply keeping youngsters away from a student needing medical attention,  or it may involve severe weather resulting in a “shelter’ directive, or it could be law enforcement-related calling for “lockdown” or to “evacuate.”

The school board was told 60 persons attended the most recent training and there is a drill scheduled at North Branch facilities towards the end of June.
Lakes Region EMS, sheriff’s office personnel, North Branch Police and Fire and neighboring districts and local staff are involved.  Supt. Paul said Todd Tetzlaff has been coordinating the schedule and is a valuable part of brining this process together.

School Board member Heather Naegele put in a word for substitute teachers and asked if they too can be notified of the trainings and drills.  She mentioned that subs often don’t have familiarity with classroom security measures or know what the routine is.

This emergency management template is bolstered by the ‘I Love U Guys Foundation” which was begn in 2008 by the parents of a victim lost in a school attack.  The name of the foundation is the final text message their daughter sent them.  

The trainings and materials being used are no charge, Supt. Paul continued.

The local Crisis Management Committee gathers monthly and focuses on how to improve safety, policies and current issues.

Supt. Paul noted the end product of the trainings  “...common language for emergency response to work in collaboration with municipalities and neighboring districts” is so important.  

The Foundation’s stated mission:  “To restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions in collaboration with families, schools,  organizations and government entities” says it all.

In other business Acting Board Chair Sara Grovender announced SCRED has a new director in Nicole Woodward. She succeeds Jaimie Nord.

~ Kindergarten-preschool registration is well underway and the district saw 130 recently enroll, which is a very positive number compared to recent years.

~ The contracted transportation provider 4.0 Student Services just last week finalized purchase of the bus fleet.  Sale was approved to proceed by vote of the Board last February.

~ Viking Vittles continues its food distribution efforts. The Board heard 286 bags of food items go home with youngsters each weekend,  to fill the gap when the school lunch and breakfasts are not being eaten.  This program is a partnership with North Branch Trinity Lutheran Church.

~ Juniors and seniors will be able to meet with various representatives about careers in a number of fields at Career Day,  April 26 and again May 23.  All during the school day there will be an opportunity to ask questions and meet with people who work and recruit in career sectors ranging from industry to the military to the trades and after high school educational avenues.

~ The annual bike, walk or roll to school day is May 3. A meet up place is at St Gregory’s Church lot, 7:05 a.m.  You can join the group or take your own route.

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