Thank you for all those that were able to attend the meeting this morning. We were able to hear from Jonny Grusing who is a former FBI Agent and our current Director of Safety and Security. He is an extremely knowledgeable man and I am so thankful he is in our district helping us learn and grow to keep students and adults safe. This was our agenda and our Google Slides. This meeting was not recorded for security reasons.

Dear NRE Community - 

This week we had yet another tragedy in Colorado and as I sit here trying to come up with words to share with you, I don't have the right ones. I am tired of the senseless violence. I am tired of guns in schools. I am sick of individuals thinking violence is ever a solution to a problem.

Today we had Jonny Grusing who is our Director of Safety and Security come speak at our SAC (School Accountability Committee) meeting. We had him scheduled as a guest for some time and the timing could not have been more perfect. He spoke about the years he worked in the FBI,  all that he learned about the "why" of criminals and how we can work to prevent senseless crimes from happening. We looked at statistics on how schools are one of the safest places to be and that teaching is one of the safest careers to do (although a lumberjack is not safe). Jonny is truly about prevention and not reaction and I'm thankful for this.

There were parents who asked questions about the resources we have here in Douglas County for our students and families. There were some specifically that not everyone knew about that I thought I would re-share with you in this letter.  On the Safe-2-Tell website it says that it's a way to "anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, your friends, your family, or your community. We take your reports any time, any day." Once a Safe2Tell comes in, the SRO, Director of Safety and Security Jonny Grusing, Sheriff's Department, and myself get a report about the concern. I get a text and an email that there is a concern and the information that was shared. I get this at any time, day or night. From here the investigation begins. Depending on the severity of the issues will depend on the response of the law enforcement side of things. Sometimes, the CRT will respond. 

Who is CRT? The Community Response Team who is sometimes referred to as the crisis response team or CRT is a team comprised of a law enforcement person who is paired with a mental health clinician to respond to an individual in need in Douglas County. Douglas County CRTs also partner with Fire/EMS for specialized field medical clearances and they can help get people placements into psychiatric care without having to use an ambulance and avoid the extra costs tied to this. We use them at the school level as well when we are worried about a student's mental health. They are an invaluable resource for us. They also provide resources for families when needed.

Mental health for children and adults is an ever growing topic of concern. In a study in 2019, Colorado was ranked 5th in the nation for suicide rates. This is alarming! There are many different  theories for why this is ranging from socioeconomics to access to firearms to social isolation and even altitude. If we go back to prevention and how to help stop this, we must continue to pay attention, listen, and seek help. 

A story I shared at our SAC meeting about my own children and something simple that I do at my own house meant something to a parent who emailed and asked that I share it in this letter. We have a rule at our house that our kids' cell phones must stay on the main level of the house. Why do we do this? We do this because it's natural for teenagers to want to retreat and stay in their rooms. It's normal for them to want to be on their phones. But... what if they are struggling, how would you know? If they want to be on their phones, then they have to be on the main level and it will force them to be around the family more. I was able to identify that one of my kids was struggling over the Winter Break because of this simple rule (it also helped that we have time limits and limited social media too). 

I wish for you a weekend filled with connections with others, limited anger, extended outdoor times, and time with friends and family. I hope you have more time with books and board games and less time with electronics. Here's to building one another up and improving our society! 

Love,

Katie

Mental Health Supports:

If you are concerned that your child or another loved one may be experiencing changes in their mood or have suicidal behaviors or thoughts, please remember:

• Stay with the child or person until you are sure they are safe

• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to the child or others 

• Call or text 988 for mental health crisis support

  • You can also chat with someone using the link: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-TALK (8255) 

  • Trained Crisis Counselor Hotline: (844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255

  • Chat online (open from 4:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. daily): Click Here

  • Walk-in Locations (open 24/7): Location List 

  • Information About Types of Services and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Crisis Services 

• DCSD Mental Health Intervention website

• DCSD Sources of Strength website

• Mobile apps for wellness and recovery

• Let’s Talk Colorado (Douglas County Government and Tri-County Health campaign)

Douglas County has an anonymous reporting system available at all times. Anyone with a concern for someone’s well-being or safety can use Safe2Tell (1-877-542-7233) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Below is a list of community centers in our metro area:

• Colorado Crisis Center Walk-In Locations

• AllHealth Network: 303-730-8858

• Denver Springs: 720-410-6319

• Highlands Behavioral Health System: 720-348-2800

• Peakview Behavioral Health: 888-235-9475