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Perkiomen Valley highlights facility dog pilot, medical‑response plans and new mental‑health links
Summary
At a joint Wellness Committee meeting, district staff described early benefits of a pilot facility dog at Middle School West and proposed medical response teams and community mental‑health resources, while expanding student volunteer ties with Power Packs.
Perkiomen Valley School District’s Wellness Committee on Monday reviewed several student‑support initiatives, highlighting early results from a pilot facility dog at Middle School West, plans to form medical response teams and a district mental‑health resource page for families.
Aaron Dreisbach, the district’s supervisor of health and wellness, said the committee will meet monthly and carry forward SMART goals from last year, including the facility‑dog pilot. Jen Moylan, MTSS facilitator at Middle School West, described how Ken, the facility dog, began limited appearances in late May and is now greeting students on arrival and supporting small‑group check‑ins. Moylan said staff have already noticed measurable student responses: “One student who needs emotional support…asked to pet Ken, and by the end of that minute interaction he looked like a different kid,” she said.
Why it matters: Staff and board members framed the facility‑dog pilot as a student‑driven initiative that can promote attendance and emotional regulation. The district discussed money used to secure Ken — a building in‑and‑out account and foundation fundraising — and asked principals to survey interest before any districtwide expansion.
On emergency preparedness, Kristen from the nursing team outlined a proposal for medical response teams across buildings that would train staff to respond to cardiac and other medical events. She said about 40 staff completed CPR training last summer but that formal teams are not yet established. Kristen cited survival statistics to justify the work and proposed self‑paced online modules, drills and a district rollout if the committee endorses the smart‑goal continuation.
The district also publicized a new mental‑health resources section on the PVSD website, which includes links to counseling access by insurance and local providers. Dreisbach introduced Kooth — an app funded by the Department of Human Services for ages 13–18 that offers journaling, drop‑in chats and scheduled counseling — and the committee requested a vendor presentation to address access and supervision concerns. Dreisbach noted that Kooth’s policy allows some services at age 14 without parental consent.
Committee members pressed for equity safeguards and access options beyond smartphones, including Chromebook or web sign‑in, and recommended outreach to principals and newsletters so families can find resources easily.
Other items covered included a renewed partnership with Power Packs to involve high‑school students in packing and distribution and a food‑service update: Kelsey Gardner said free/reduced lunch participation is rising and urged outreach before a Sept. 9 grace‑period cutoff for applications.
Next steps: Staff will survey principals about facility‑dog interest, work with nursing to outline the medical‑response team rollout, schedule a Kooth vendor presentation for a future meeting and bring a summary of outreach steps for the mental‑health page.
