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New Horizons staff outline community-based supports and therapy-dog pilot for students
Summary
New Horizons staff told the board that the district’s New Horizons tier-3 program is expanding community engagement with a volunteer "walk and talk" initiative and a 'Bark Break' therapy-dog pilot to aide student mental health and social connection.
Caitlin Roskoff and Nicole Paulson presented an update on the New Horizons program, describing its work with students who benefit from an alternative school experience and highlighting two recent initiatives aimed at supporting social-emotional learning.
Roskoff said New Horizons, in place since 2018 and located at the GTCC facility, is a tier-3 program serving students from eighth grade through graduation and works closely with junior-high and senior-high teams. The program includes a daily guided SEL hour called "Jumpstart" and an afternoon career academy for older students.
Two new programs were described: a weekly community "walk and talk" where approved community volunteers walk with students and provide positive adult connections, and a "Bark Break" in partnership with a Therapy Dog Alliance that brings therapy dogs to campus a few times a month. Roskoff and Paulson said staff have already observed positive effects on students' moods and engagement after these activities.
Board members asked how the board can continue to support New Horizons; staff said the greatest ongoing need is expanded mental-health supports and continued emphasis on the district's ESS structure to connect students to resources. No policy changes were requested; staff asked for continued priority on staffing and mental-health resources.
Ending: Board expressed appreciation for the program and its community partnerships and offered to consider support as part of budget and program planning.
