WAITSBURG – Two years ago, Waitsburg School District staff, administration and community members participated in a visioning process coordinated by Educational Service District 123, which oversees schools in southeast Washington.

A top priority identified through that process, was that the Waitsburg district should not only educate and engage students, but also the community at large. In recent months, the district has made great strides in meeting that goal.

In his first year as Waitsburg School District superintendent, Dr. Jon Mishra has overseen updates to both the district website and district Facebook page. The website includes several items of immediate interest, as well as school board meeting dates and agendas and athletic combine meeting dates. Meeting updates are usually posted shortly after each meeting.

Mishra speaks personally to the community through his Cardinal Calling video updates, which are posted on the website and Facebook page each Friday. Cardinal Calling provides updates on a wide variety of topics including testing, capital improvement, professional development, curriculum, fun projects and more.

High School Administrator Denise Winnett and School Board Member Russ Knopp play key roles in updating the Waitsburg School District Facebook page with plenty of photos, and keep readers informed of happenings on all three school campuses.

In recent months, the district has made several educational opportunities available to the community as part of an intentional Community Coordination Program. Although the first presentations haven’t had a large turnout, Mishra said that those who participated seemed to benefit.

“Our goal is to apply a wrap-around approach centered on our children. Involving all facets, including school, parents and community will have a lasting and powerful impact,” Mishra said.

On March 19, the district hosted a free showing of Paper Tigers at the Plaza Theater. The documentary chronicles a year in the life of several students attending Lincoln High School in Walla Walla.

Lincoln High School Principal Jim Sporleder spearheaded the effort showcased in the documentary after being exposed to research on the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). In response, he radically changed the school’s approach toward discipline and chronicled the results, which included an 85% drop in suspension rates.

On April 12, Pastor Matt Wyatt gave a suicide awareness and prevention presentation to students in sixth through 12th grades. Approximately 20 people attended a second presentation for the community later that evening.

According to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate for girls between 15 and 19 doubled from 2001 to 2015, when it reached its highest point in 40 years. The suicide rate for boys in that age group increased by 30 percent over that same period.

Wyatt shared from his personal experience and touched on topics of awareness, cyberbullying, parental roles and strengthening the community through awareness and kindness.

“When Pastor Matt shared his own experience, it was really emotional and it home because it was true and not just a story. It made me really want to make sure to pay attention to other people when I know they are hurting”, said eight grade student Alex Struckmeier.

A third program is planned for May, focusing on either ACES or appropriate use of social media.

“Our plan is to continue with this next year and put together a comprehensive battery of activities for our community, including presentations,” Mishra said in his April 13 Cardinal Calling.

The school district has also partnered with Walla Walla Community College to offer free “Parenting the Love and Logic Way” parenting classes. The free classes began April 11 and will run through May 16. The program is free and includes parent workbook, dinner and child activities. Call 509-527-4237 to see if there is still availability.

Visit the District website http://www.waitsburgsd.org or the Waitsburg School District Facebook page to keep updated on current happenings. The Waitsburg School Board meets the third Thursday of the month. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. on April 19 in the elementary school library. The public is welcome to attend.

The next Dayton/Waitsburg athletic combine meeting will be held on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Waitsburg Elementary School library.