1. PULSAR: POLICE, PUBLIC EDUCATORS, AND PEERS UTILIZING THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS OF STUDENTS AT RISK/AS RESOURCES School Board PresentationJuly 9, 2012

2. What is PULSAR?  This intervention program identifies students at risk of school failure, disconnection, and negative behavior.  Students, selected by school staff, participate in a retreat, community projects, and a PULSAR Youth Club.

3. The Retreat The 2-3 day retreat activities include:  Orientation and team-building  Self-awareness and self-assessment  Group process and dynamics  Groups needs assessment  School and community  Formation of PULSAR youth club/product groups  Conference closing and graduation

4. One Study: Program Effectiveness A 2004 JMU study showed that the PULSAR program  facilitated self-reflection on participants’ negative attitudes toward substance abuse and positive attitudes toward school;  allowed the students to gain skills that addressed individual needs; and  fostered relationships between the students and adult facilitators in a safe environment, but  these factors were not constant with each student.

5. The Retreat: A Participant’s Perspective  “Affirmed support rather than punitive or corrective responses to problems – What is the best long- range solution?”  Emphasized “collaboration, caring, commitment”  “Encouraged trust, building friendships, helping look at the other side of people”

6. PULSAR in RCPS  2001/2002 – program approved for middle schools – PULSAR coordinator added to Supplemental Pay Scale (this year only)  Grant funded for a number of years  Grant funding was no longer available; middle schools tried to sustain program via floating stipend, fund-raising, teacher volunteers, etc.  Many similar PULSAR “activities” are included in Effective School-Wide Discipline efforts and Character Counts programs in our schools.

7. Elkton Middle School  Approximately 20 at-risk students chosen by teachers, counselor, and administrators  Components – retreat; some activities during the school year  Retreat – team building activities  Funding – PULSAR stipend; school funding; no current PULSAR program

8. J. Frank Hillyard Middle School  Approximately 20 students – blend of students from various clique groups  Components – retreat; some special activities during the year  Retreat – team-building activities designed to address student needs  Funding – PULSAR stipend; school funding; no current PULSAR program

9. Montevideo Middle School  20-30 students - blend of school leaders and struggling students  Components – retreat, monthly club meetings, special activity each 6-9 weeks (dance, bowling, etc.)  Retreat – very structured; parent meeting prior to retreat; follow-up on goals and letters during retreat to stay connected  Funding – PULSAR stipend; grant; floating stipend; private donations and fund-raising; no current PULSAR program

10. Wilbur S. Pence Middle School  30 students – introverts; shy students; at-risk students; students looking for a chance to bloom, belong, and make connections  Components – retreat in fall and spring, club meeting every 6 weeks, special activities  Retreat – activities geared to student needs  Funding – PULSAR stipend; grant; school funding; no current PULSAR program

11. Estimated PULSAR Expenses (per middle school/per county) Police, Public Educators, and Peers Utilizing the Leadership Skills of Students At Risk/As Resources PULSAR Coordinator Stipend $678.25 (Level 8 – 0 years on Supplemental Pay Scale) PULSAR Retreats (Fall and Spring) $6,000.00 PULSAR Retreat Teacher Substitutes $3,900.00 (10 subs x 3 days x 2 retreats) PULSAR Retreat Supplies (2 retreats) $1,000.00 Bus Driver/Travel for PULSAR Retreats $320.00 PULSAR Club Supplies $1,000.00 (T-shirts, Career Interest Inventories, Activity Costs, etc.) _____________ $12,898.25 Total for 4 RCPS Middle Schools $51,593.00

12. Considerations/Concerns  Program cost – funding source?  Teacher, law enforcement, community, and parent support for retreats  Time commitment for teacher sponsors in light of academic accountability/SOL pressure  Are PULSAR program ideals/goals already addressed in current school programs, such as ESD, Character Counts, Olweus, Amigos Unidos, restorative practices, etc.?  Program consistency among middle schools  Program impact on others in school  Retreat confidentiality issues

13. Other Programs/Approaches  PBIS model – similar to our current ESD programs  Social-Emotional Learning  Steps To Respect  Second Step  Safe Schools, Healthy Students (Charlottesville/Albemarle Project  Bully Busters  T-BIP