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Nicolet Elementary to seek formal recognition as a community school; United Way funding and new mental‑health provider cited
Summary
District staff told trustees Feb. 10 they will ask the Board to formally recognize Nicolet Elementary as a community school and change the building's name to "Nicolet Elementary Community School" to reflect expanded programs and a dedicated community‑school coordinator.
Amy Fish, associate director of community partnerships and grants, said the district is proposing to change Nicolet Elementary School's name to "Nicolet Elementary Community School" to reflect implementation of the community‑schools model at the building.
Fish traced the program's local development: Howe Elementary started as a flagship community school in 2018; Nicolet began learning from Howe in 2021 and hired its first community‑school resource coordinator using Fund 80 dollars after an initial Brown County United Way investment. The coordinator, Megan Crystal, described several programs started since August: morning martial‑arts sessions with roughly 60 students participating, family‑bingo and parent cafes, parent education sessions, an art club and a color run culminating event, plus plans for signage and a community room inside the school.
Principal Laurie (last name not specified in transcript) said the school will use United Way funds for interior signage, a community room and artist murals to create a stronger sense of belonging in the building. Fish and Laurie said the program grew quickly after funding arrived and staff pivoted from an initially modest rollout to more active programming.
Fish said Brown County United Way is an anchor partner and made subsequent investments in community‑school expansion; she noted the partnership is intended to align school‑based supports with community services. Laurie and Megan also said a mental‑health provider was recently approved and will begin delivering services, with parent referrals already scheduled.
The board asked whether a resolution or formal vote on the name change would be on a future agenda; staff indicated a resolution would be prepared for the next board meeting.
No vote was taken Feb. 10; the presentation was an informational request to advance the community‑school work and seek formal recognition on a future regular meeting agenda.
