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District highlights therapy dog, mentorships and counselor programs as part of first-year mental-health pillar
Summary
MSD Southwest Allen County Schools presented first-year progress on its mental-health pillar, including a therapy dog at Lafayette Meadows, Big Brothers Big Sisters lunch-buddies, counselor-led groups serving more than 800 students, and plans for staff wellness surveys and a mental-health task force.
MSD Southwest Allen County Schools officials on March 17 described the first-year implementation of the district's mental-health pillar and highlighted school-level programs that aim to expand proactive supports for students and staff.
Lafayette Meadows principal Jenny Fidel said the elementary school has integrated a fully trained therapy dog named Pepper into counseling work, reading programs and incentive activities. "Our kids just love having Pepper at our building. He's been awesome," Fidel said, describing reading-with-Pepper sessions and a "picnic with Pepper" raffle tied to PBIS points.
Nut graf: District leaders said the mental-health pillar centers on four priorities — raise awareness, assess and analyze needs, curate resources and…
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