FEBRUARY 2022
Greetings, Purgolder Community! 

We are officially past the halfway point of the school year! This, in and of itself, is something to celebrate. It's been a long time since we were together, in person, for this length of time. It feels good to be where we are. We know no school year is without its challenges, but with challenges come opportunities for reflection, learning, and growth. I am proud of the resiliency and focus I see in our students every day, and of the love and care East staff show them. 

As an example of turning a challenge into a chance to affect positive change, I again want to highlight how our Sexual Violence Student Focus Group has been working diligently to build awareness and transparency around reporting sexual violence. These students are helping educate not only students, but also staff, in ways to make East a safe, inclusive, and supportive place for people of all identities. If you missed their first PSA, released earlier this week, check it out here. 
At East, we celebrate Black Excellence year-round, working to create environments that reflect a deep understanding of the experiences of Black children, families, and communities, as well as our own ongoing critical self-reflection. Throughout February, Black History Month, our students lead us in honoring the triumphs and struggles of Black Americans. I want to thank them for educating us each morning during announcements about remarkable Black individuals and inspiring moments in Black history. Our Black Student Union has also been selling T-shirts (pre-order yours here!) – one designed by BSU board member Kadjata Bah – as well as stickers and buttons. Kadjata and others are also setting up a gallery to showcase poems and art pieces by Black & African-American students at East. Watch for updates on these and other ways we will be honoring Black History Month on East's social media platforms.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the month, here are some dates to keep on your radar:


Lastly, please join me in showing appreciation for some unsung heroes – East's Counseling Team – during National School Counseling Week this week. I hope they are feeling the love we have for them for expertly guiding our students through some pretty unpredictable and unique school years. Thank you for all you do.

Mikki Smith
Interim Principal
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Maya Dettwiler & Elijah Smith
East Senior, Maya Dettwiler, was recently nominated for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County's Youth of the Year, an award where outstanding youth are recognized for their achievements. She has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club for 4 years through AVID. She is also involved in East's Black Student Union (BSU) Leadership Board, French Club, Jazz Band, Anti-Sexual Assault Team, the Information Technology Academy (ITA) at UW Madison, Student Congress and a Girl Scout. She is interested in history, film, music and psychology. Her dream school is the University of Chicago and she intents to be a Psychology Major with an Ethnic Studies or African-American Studies minor. WIth her degree she'd like to specialize in working with youth of color and becoming a therapist.
Elijah Smith, East junior in the Information & Communication Technology Pathway and a motivated youth and teen program worker at the East Madison Community Center, was recently featured in the Northside News for receiving an exciting award for his creativity and entrepreneurial skills. Elijah won first place in a program called Teens Mean Business, which is hosted by CEOs of Tomorrow Inc. "We had eight to nine weeks to come up with a business idea and present it to the judges and see what happens. The goal of my project is to destroy teen obesity. I created a customizable backpack that includes a water bottle, basketball, and instructional cards with basketball activities," said Elijah. The award comes with $1000, half of which goes to the winner's college of choice. Elijah plans to attend Madison College to study construction and architecture.
FEATURED PROGRAM
Student Services & Mental Health Supports
At February's East High Purgolder United Parent Meeting, East's School Psychologist Ann Reyes talked to families about East's Student Services offerings and available mental health supports at school and in the community. Young people across the country have faced increased stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many continue to struggle with unmet social and emotional needs.

This month, during Purgolder Time, students had the opportunity to view videos about coping with stress. You can view them below.

We know the best strategy to meet students needs is to work in partnership with a student's family, school, and local community.

School Mental Health Resources
We want to make sure that students and families know that East staff are here to support them. Our Student Services team is comprised of school counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses and other support staff. We encourage students (or families of students) who are experiencing depression, anxiety, self-harm, or other mental health or social emotional challenges to reach out to a Student Services staff member.

Community resources
There are also community resources available to students and families, regardless of financial status, identity, legal status, etc.
  • The Dane County Behavioral Health Resource Center can help students and families access behavioral health services, regardless of insurance status, financial status, age, identity, ability, or legal status. Contact them at (608) 267-2244 or BHRC@countyofdane.com.
  • Care Solace is available to MMSD students and families along with MMSD staff and their families. Care Solace provides mental health care coordination for school systems by linking students, students' family members, or MMSD staff and families to mental health services that match their needs 24/7. Care Solace is committed to connecting our MMSD community to mental health therapists and will match culturally appropriate and gender appropriate resources and providers to our students and families. They also provide translation in over 250 languages. 

Crisis Lines
Below are resources to get support immediately for a crisis.

For additional resources, please visit MMSD's Mental Health & Wellness Resources website.

Please join us for our next East High Purgolder United Parent Meeting on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022 from 6:30-7:30pm via Zoom with guest speaker Kelly Cook, MMSD Title IX Coordinator, who will speak about the district's process when it receives reports of sexual misconduct involving the MMSD community, how it coordinates supportive measures, provides information about response options, and conducts or oversees related investigations. Kelly will provide information about how all of these duties are guided by a trauma-informed approach that also embraces principles of equity and ensures due process.
MADISON EAST HIGH SCHOOL