Foundation Provides Funding for Special Needs and Student Support Programs
Kristin Hinrich, Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School "Near-Peer"
The Green Dragon Foundation is making great progress to ensure excellence in education for all children in the Lewisburg Area School District. In response to the current fiscal challenge for Pennsylvania, we have broadened our scope to ensure existing programs are not lost while continuing our efforts to expand educational opportunities.
To demonstrate our commitment to all students, in January 2011, $13,000 was given to LASD in support of district wide special needs and support programs.
According to Dr. Mark DiRocco, Superintendent of the Lewisburg Area School District, “All students learn differently and we must provide specially designed instruction to help children succeed in the classroom through a variety of support programs that meet individual needs. Students with learning difficulties or physical disabilities face challenges that can be overcome with proper instructional design and individualized support.”
The Green Dragon Foundation continues to raise money to provide funding to help the district serve students with special needs. The healthy emotional and social development of all students is essential and the district strives to support the development of the whole child. Programs such as Listening Post, At-Risk Counseling Services, and Student Assistance Programs, and others support the specific individual circumstances that children face are greatly enhanced.
Spotlight on the Listening Post Support Program
Recently, the Foundation spoke with one organization that was the recipient of one such support program, the Listening Post. Ann Glock, the Green Dragon Foundation executive director met with Listening Post Near-Peer, Kristin Hinrichs, a Bucknell University student. The Listening Post, its own non-profit organization, receives a large portion of its funding from LASD. District administrators identified the Listening Post as a critical program for its students in grades 4-12 that needed additional funding to stay open.
Hinrichs, a psychology major student from New York, has been a Near-Peer for the past three years. She describes her position as critical to the students’ well being. According to Hinrichs “Near-Peers form a trusting relationship with students. Student visits are rarely a one-time occurrence; we develop bonds with the students.” She continues, “Students stop in the Listening Post room during their free periods such as study hall and lunch. Many students don’t feel comfortable going to the cafeteria so they’ll eat with their Near-Peers. Near-pears provide a safe environment for students to learn how to talk and express themselves.” In Hinrichs’ opinion, these opportunities translate into better academics for the students. “Friendships are formed at the Listening Post. If the program went away, the kids would be distraught. It is even upsetting to the kids when the room closes for the season.” Hinrichs explained that the Listening Post program runs according to the Bucknell semester calendar.
“We are a comfort to the students. We deal with issues such as bullying. I think that the students who come to the room don’t have a large number of friends or are comfortable dining in the cafeteria” says Hinrichs. Hinrichs thinks she and her colleagues are making a difference in the students’ lives. Working at the Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School, she has personally seen such growth in the students from 6th to 8th grade. Friendships form in the Listening Post room.
One of the hot topics discussed in the Listening Post room is bullying. With recent suicides in surrounding areas, Listening Post has become an even more important option for students. It offers them a safe room.
The statistics confirm what Hinrichs states. According to Stephany Gormley, director-coordinator of the Listening Post, “There were a total of 2,845 student visits during the 2010-2011 school year. At Linntown Intermediate there were 1,144, at DHEMS 1,194, and at LAHS there were 507.” Hinrichs concludes, “The kids are happy to be there and are not forced to come, yet they do come!”
The programs’ Near-Peers are all Bucknell University students and are not taking the place of the schools’ guidance counselors. In fact, the Near-Peers make referrals to the counselors. Hinrichs describes “Students are aware that if we think an issue is a potential crisis, we will contact the school’s guidance counselors. For the students, it can be a more laid back way of getting the help they need. It is a less intimidating way.”
Mrs. Brenda Zack and Mr. Tom Mecouch, DHEMS guidance counselors concur, “The Listening Post provides an extra layer of social and emotional support for our students. Students can freely discuss the positives and negatives of their middle school experience with more mature “near peers” who may have been through similar experiences. Given the challenges that students face today, the Listening Post provides a meaningful outlet for students to discuss their concerns.” Both are grateful to the Green Dragon Foundation for funding this important program, “Thanks for all you do!”
The Green Dragon Foundation is seeking additional support to continue funding critical programs such as this. Individuals or businesses wishing to volunteer or donate can make their donation online by clicking “Make a Donation Today” or by mail at 115 Farley Circle, Suite 306, Lewisburg, PA 17837.