Join Martha Carver, head of school and IMC board member, as she leads us through the “ecosystem” of student retention. We will explore the interconnectedness and interdependence of school culture, leadership and governance, educators, and families. Martha will help us consider the elements of successful retention. See you Wednesday!
As a school leader of a Private non-profit Montessori school in Wisconsin, I am always on the lookout for new funding opportunities. I am especially interested in capturing state and federal funds that are a possibility for all schools.
Every week, I have a habit of checking a few state education organizations newsfeeds to see if there is anything new in legislation that may result in an opportunity for our school. I do not just rely on our state Montessori organization or one source. Recently, I monitored in our state legislature several bills that would enhance school security. I was mindful to advocate with my state representatives. I advocated in support of the proposed legislation and also added my two-cents worth, asking that the legislation include research-based preventative measures such as trauma-informed care and social-emotional best practices for children. There were other educators and agencies advocating in this grant to include these practices that really focus on mental health competency for children and adults. I supported the momentum.
The grant opportunity was announced, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it included trauma-informed-care training as a requirement and could include more adverse childhood experience training besides the brick and mortar system upgrades for security.
The grant application turn-around time was fewer than 40 days. Along with our Operations Manager, we navigated our options and consulted with security, law enforcement, and technology experts, using a comprehensive needs assessment. After the decision process came the application process and further fine-tuning. Our Operations Manager navigated the process well. The result, I am happy to say, is the following press release:
Rock Prairie Montessori School
Receives State Safety Grant
Janesville (WI) – Attorney General Brad Schimel today announced a list of 19 schools and school districts that have been awarded the next round of grants through the Wisconsin Department of Justice School Safety Grant program, administered by DOJ’s Office of School Safety. Rock Prairie Montessori School, a local, nonprofit school, was awarded $19,943.
Part of the grant is collaborating with local law enforcement. RPMS received a letter from the Rock County Sheriff’s office, supporting the school’s grant request for advanced
safety measures.
Funds will be used by the school to enhance the current security system to better safeguard school entrances as well as monitor the interior and exterior of the school. The interactive IP video intercom with door release will provide all staff, regardless of location on the premises, the ability to see who is requesting access to the school, interact with that individual and grant access if deemed appropriate.
In addition, the system provides intercom capabilities between interior and exterior monitoring of student drop-off and pick-up. Software will be enhanced to include a door prop recognition system that will alert administrative staff if a door has been propped open for a predetermined period of time.
Finally, school staff will complete the ACE training through the Conscious Discipline ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Course and TIC-TSS (Trauma Informed Care-Trauma Sensitive School), as outlined by the School Safety Initiative part of the grant.
“School officials and law enforcement share the responsibility in keeping our kids safe when they leave their homes every day,” said Attorney General Schimel. “These grant funds will establish a meaningful way to improve school safety through physical improvements to school buildings, and a focus on mental health training for school faculty.”
For more information on DOJ’s Office of School Safety, please visit https://www.doj.state.wi.us/office-school-safety/office-school-safety.
More information on RPMS can be found online at rockprairiemontessori.com
ML / September / 2018 / pg 25
On May 3rd, 2017, we were joined by Martha Carver of Rock Prairie Montessori in Wisconsin. Our topic was be organizing parent education programs with high parent participation and support.
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