BROOKINGS – Brookings School District Superintendent Klint Willert gave school board members an update Monday on the district’s response to recent mental health concerns as well as plans for an alternative option for high schoolers.

“Several staff members and I have discussed ongoing efforts to address student mental health and wellbeing in the district,” Willert wrote in his board report. “We have also had conversations with some external agencies regarding staff support, training and community efforts to support our learners. I am working on a meeting with several community partners, school officials, staff members and students to discuss what actions our community can take to serve our learners and respond to the needs.”

The high school reported that school counselors have received training and have trained teachers in the use of a mental health assessment tool. According to the high school report, the tool was implemented during a special advisory period on Monday. 

“We are expecting many students to express concerns about their own mental health and have taken steps to bring in district staff as well as outside professionals to assist with the conversations coming as a result of our students’ assessment responses,” Principal Paul von Fischer wrote in the report. 

Further, school counselors invited all students who were formerly trained in the “Natural Helpers” program as well as all other students interested in helping out with the mental health situation to a meeting, which occurred in late November. The Natural Helpers program is a middle school program that identifies leaders in each grade level while receiving training from counselors. 

“Based on the positive outcome of that first meeting, I anticipate the group will continue to meet so our counselors can hear directly from our students what they are experiencing,” von Fischer wrote. “This group will also act as an important sounding board as we explore possibilities to positively affect the mental health of our students at BHS.”

Von Fischer and Willert have mentioned previously that outside help will be brought in to assist with mental health concerns as the school moves forward.

“Finally, the outpouring of support for the concerns raised at last month’s school board meeting has been overwhelming. So many organizations and individuals have reached out to us, pledging their support,” von Fischer wrote. “After we complete our assessment with BHS students, we will be in a much better place to determine interventions for those in need. If you have reached out to BHS employees in response to the mental health crisis, THANK YOU. This is one more situation in which I am reminded what a great community this is.”

Alternative option

The alternative school option that has been discussed in recent weeks by high school administration now has a name: Bobcat Plains Academy (@ the Club). 

“In an effort to remind the world that our new alternative program is a part of Brookings High School, we wanted to have the name include ‘Bobcats’ in some form,” von Fischer wrote. “The word ‘school’ is not really what we’re going for, either. If our goal is to provide an alternative opportunity for students, then we should use a different name for ‘school.’ Finally want to recognize and celebrate our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plains.”

While the plan is still somewhat tentative, as board action has yet to be taken, von Fischer and assistant principal Justin Stanley have continued taking steps to make the alternative option a reality. Currently, the planned location for the alternative option is at the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings, next to the middle school. 

“We have met with the team at the Brookings Boys & Girls Club and have found, as usual, that our goals are very much aligned,” von Fischer wrote. “We all feel there is an excellent opportunity for synergy as we work on a Memorandum of Agreement document to secure the partnership.”

Staff for the alternative option will be funded by the ESSER (COVID-19 relief) dollars. Von Fischer explained that there is currently a “small pool” of applicants but that they hope to have the hiring process completed before the holiday break. 

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Dakota Prairie Community Room. 

Contact Addison DeHaven at adehaven@brookingsregister.com.