Tonka CARES Coalition Meeting Minutes: November 15, 2016 (Coalition Minutes docx)

Transcription

1 Members Present Linda Roslansky, Cari Lindberg, Ron Kamps, Chris Helgeson, Ali Brophy, Roxane Lehmann, Lindsey Smith, Dennis Peterson, Sarah Johnson, Isabella Hopwood, Michelle Ferris, Melissa Feller, Anney Lyons, Mathew Meyers, Emilee Rodriquez, John Rubio, Mike Rubio. Ted Schultz, Amy Steiner, Josh Stephan, Rochelle Olson Agenda Item Discussion Results, Decisions Made, and/or Action Items 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Approval of Documents 3. Mentoring & Hotline Outreach Linda Roslansky called the meeting to order at 1:05 PM and asked members and guests to introduce themselves A. September 20, 2016 Meeting Minutes: Heidi Garcia made a motion to accept and Lindsey Smith seconded the motion. B. Meeting Agenda: Ron Kamps asked to present his agenda points earlier in the meeting due to a tightened schedule. Ron Kamps addressed the group with ideas for better supporting students who are using in the community. He specifically spoke to the idea of a mentoring program. The group discussed possible mentors (current students and members of the community). Ron also asked about whether we had ever considered staffing a hotline. He commented on Minnesota Teen Challenge and their efforts. Rochelle referenced our Tonka CARES resource cards that are distributed to students and staff throughout the District. Multiple hotlines are listed for a variety of needs and concerns. Minutes approved Agenda approved Lindsey asked the question as to whether we could potentially partner with other organizations to work together on Mentoring and phone hotlines. The group agreed that working with an established program may be helpful in training and implantation of a mentor program. The Coalition will further discuss these ideas.

2 4. Update from Dr. Peterson presented the group with a wide array of information regarding the Superintendent, Dr. Minnetonka School District. Dennis Peterson His presentation highlighted Minnetonka s continued growth in academic excellence, enrollment projections and goals and strategies for the District s future. New strategies for the school year include; coding programs across all grade levels, new language immersion initiatives, Minnetonka Research at MHS, and further growth in the District s Culture of Innovation Program. Dr. Peterson also discussed the changes made to the District s Student Survey Policy. In accordance with new regulations, Minnetonka families will be given an opportunity to opt out at the beginning of each year and then will need to be notified of surveys as they are offered. Each family will be able to make a decision on participation as each survey is presented. Dr. Peterson reinforced the importance of these surveys and that the process for staff, faculty and students will be worked out prior to the beginning of next year. 5. Question and Answer Session with Minnetonka High School Activities Director, Ted Schultz Ted took questions from the Coalition regarding how he works with the policies connected to activity participation. He emphasized that he and his staff work to encourage positive behaviors in students. He informed the group that when a student violates part of his/her MSHL Code of Conduct, they meet immediately with him and other staff members. They receive information regarding infractions from police reports, coaches, parents and social media. Under their bylaws, it is his job to gather information to verify infractions. Based on the infraction, his office will typically enforce a 2-9 week penalty and/or suspension. Ted took questions in regards to how proximity to chemicals affects a violation or suspension. Ted reiterated that the school policy states that it is a student s job to immediately remove themselves from a situation where chemicals/substances are present, even if they may not be participating. He also informed that Coalition that student leaders (captains) go through training in conjunction with other nearby school districts to ensure they know the importance of their role and modeling the behavior that is required.

3 Ted discussed the Code of Conduct letter with the group. Currently students are required to sign an electronic copy which is in many cases signed by parents as they pay fees for an activity. The group wondered if it would be possible to have students sign hard copies in person at beginning of the season meetings. Ted acknowledged that some teams had done that in the not so distant past. The group also suggested that coaches remind students and parents that when they sign their Code of Conduct agreement it is 12-month commitment to alcohol and substance free living. Ted agreed that sending that message to students as they make their way out of their season or into the summer is valuable. 6. Committee Reports, Rochelle Olson In the interest of time, Rochelle briefly touched on our subcommittees. A. Parent Committee: The committee has sent out a message via each school s newsletter this month. All elementary, middle and high school parents received a message encouraging them to praise good and safe choices. Resources were provided within the message. Another Peachjar newsletter will be distributed to middle and high school families in December, with a focus on safe holidays and winter break. B. Sustainability/Capacity Committee: The committee recently met to go over information and format for a presentation to local groups on Marijuana use and perceptions. Rochelle is developing a presentation that she will be rolling out to Rotary and Chamber groups after the new year. C. School Communications: A new Toilet Tribune poster was added to all bathrooms in Minnetonka High School. It s topic addresses myths and facts surrounding Marijuana use. A new poster will be added to the bathrooms every 6 weeks or so. The second Reveal what s Real Poster will be put up at MHS the week after Thanksgiving. The poster will highlight the 2016 Minnesota State Survey statistic that 93% of MHS students think that their parents would find it wrong or very wrong to drink alcohol. D. Environmental Strategies: The committee has been providing information to Excelsior regarding Social Host Ordinance (per their request). The proposed ordinance will be discussed by the City Council on December 19, Excelsior requested residents who support the ordinance to be present at this meeting. Tonka CARES encourages those who cannot attend to send a letter to the City Coalition members are encouraged to join a committee if they have not already done so. Please contact Sarah Johnson at to join a committee. Coalition members are asked to recruit Excelsior residents to be present at the December 19, 2016 Excelsior City Council Meeting. Send support letters (for social host ordinance) to Kristi Luger: kluger@excelsiormn.org

4 Manager, Kristi Luger You may request talking points and data on social host by ing Sarah. E. Mental Health: Heidi Garcia will be working with her committee to develop plan for action. Rochelle and Heidi recently received data back regarding MHS student s mental health from the 2016 Minnesota State Survey. The data showed some alarming trends. Sarah at for social host talking points 7. Minnesota Student Survey Preliminary Report, Rochelle Olson Rochelle presented the Coalition with data taken from the 2016 Minnesota State Survey taken in March by Minnetonka students. Approximately 2,500 Minnetonka students took the survey which is a nearly 85% participation rate. Students in 5,8, 9,and 11 th grades are asked to take the survey. 10 th and 12 th graders at MHS also took the survey. Rochelle shared the trends in use of alcohol and substances among those participating in the survey. Alcohol: While preliminary data suggests that students aren t using at a faster rate than the past years, Tonka CARES would like to see it much lower. According to the data 50% of 12 graders are using alcohol within a 30-day period. Marijuana: The data presented shows that use among MHS students is nearly doubling with each year (9 th -12 th ). Prescription Drugs: The prevalence of prescription drug use is increasing. Use of ADHD/ADD drugs are gaining momentum, as well as other narcotics. E-cigs/Cigarettes: The data shows that E-cigs are being used more prevalently. This trend seems to be quickly gaining momentum. While one would suspect that less students use cigarettes, our data confirmed that there is a profound jump in use during the 11 th and 12 th grade years. This could be attributed to fact that many of these students become 18 during their 12 th grade year. During an upcoming meeting, Rochelle will present more information from the 2016 Minnesota State Survey in regards to adverse child experiences, mental health, and resiliency.

5 8. Announcements A. Nominations are being accepted for the Tonka CARES Executive Committee. Please submit any nominations to Rochelle Olson. B. Each Coalition member is encouraged to invite potential new members to our next meeting. We are looking to build our group to prepare for our upcoming strategies. C. Capacity Building Opportunity: CADCA Mid-Year Conference: February 6-9, National Harbor, MD. Any Coalition member is welcome to attend this conference. Rochelle adjourned the meeting at 2:45 p.m. Nominations for the Executive Committee can be sent to Rochelle Olson at: Any leads or interest in attending a Coalition meeting can be directed to Sarah Johnson at All Coalition members are encouraged to think about attending one of these conferences. Tonka CARES will be able to cover your fees and lodging. Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 10. 9:00 a.m 10:30 a.m., DSC Community Room