Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, The River Valley School District board has dealt with many complex and difficult issues over the past seven years. Sara Young, board representative from Area 6, has put her mind and heart into her role on the board.  I would like to take this opportunity to state my support of Young. While I have not always agreed with her votes (as an RVSD employee, I would have like to see more stringent masking mandates), I have always seen her to be incredibly diligent in her research (she has spent many hours talking with Dr. Furukawa to get a medical perspective on the pandemic), her willingness to listen to all sides, and her commitment to engaging with all of the school community.  Young brings a style of communication to board meetings that is absolutely necessary in these times of such divisiveness. She is thoughtful, compassionate, and willing to face conflict with clarity and kindness. She will listen, study, and vote based on careful research.  Our school district needs Sara Young to be re-elected to the school board on April 5th. Please for her when you vote to pass the referendum. We need both. Jennifer Moore-Kerr Spring Green    Dear editor, The teen years are marked by a wide range of emotions which can be difficult for teens, their parents and educators. It is easy to misread depression as typical adolescent turmoil; however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age.  According to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Wisconsin continues to have one of the highest youth suicide rates in the nation with it being the second leading cause of death for youth.  January through May have been the most common months for emergency room visits and hospitalizations for suicide attempts.  Wisconsin youth report higher levels of binge drinking than most states and binge drinking can be positively correlated with suicide attempts. To proactively address this issue, River Valley High School is offering a depression screening and suicide prevention training based on the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program.  This program has been used by hundreds of schools and has shown success in increasing awareness and providing assistance to students concerned about themselves or a friend.   The program is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 15. Students will be shown a depression/suicide awareness video and staff will discuss the A-C-T (A=Acknowledge, C=Care, and T=Tell) approach to suicide prevention. River Valley pupil services members, as well as community counselors/clinicians will be available during the day to address student concerns. If there is a safety concern about a student, parents/guardians will be contacted.  If you have questions about SOS, please feel free to contact the pupil services staff at River Valley High School at (608) 588-2554.  The River Valley School District Pupil Services Team, Holly Lochner, middle school counselor Claire Knoll, school psychologist Missy Hilliard, high school counselor Mitch Heinemeyer, high school counselor Jordyn Wendlhausen, school nurse Brittiney Belche, registered nurse Heather Olson, health assistant Stacy Hauden, elementary counselor Lisa Kjos, pupil services director Helplines: Suicide Prevention Lifeline: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). HOPELINE: Text “HOPELINE” to 741741 or go to www.centerforsuicideawareness.org for 24/7 free trained crisis counselors. The Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386. A national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBT youth.