District Information for Parents

Dear Parents and Families,

Please take time to read and familiarize yourselves with all of the information below. This is school district information that may not necessarily be replicated in your student’s school handbook, as it applies to both the Hinsdale Elementary School and also the Hinsdale Middle High School.

Please contact your student’s school office if you have any questions or need more information on any of the topics below. You may also contact the Superintendent’s office at 603-336-5728. We are happy to help answer questions and assist you in any way that we can.

We wish you and your students a successful 2024-2025 academic year!

Hinsdale School Board Members
April Anderson, Chair
Kaylah Hemlow, Vice Chair
Wayne Dingman, Jr.
Kendra Gardner
Marc Sprague

District Goals:

HSD will personalize learning for each student which will result in improved student learning and higher numbers of students reaching proficiency on targeted learning standards by:
- using a Response to Intervention model which will provide students with educational opportunities and learning based upon each student’s unique needs, interests and learning styles
- developing action plans that will result in improved student learning
- supporting the implementation of the Future Tech Committee’s 5 Year Plan
- HSD will provide students with social/emotional learning opportunities which will enhance students’ capacity to integrate skills, attitudes, and behaviors to deal effectively and ethically with daily tasks and challenges; and which will result in students learning the skills they need to in order to be successful in today’s world – at home, in school, and later in college and work.
In order to improve parent/community involvement/engagement and in order to help parents develop skills to effectively help their child(ren) reach learning goals, HSD will:
- create a welcoming environment in all schools/facilities/departments
- promote a collaborative relationship with the community through a continued commitment to holding regular community forums
HSD will recruit the best quality staff, grow best quality staff, and retain best quality staff.
HSD will conduct financial business in an efficient and effective manner.
HSD will continue to review security audit information and move forward, in a fiscally responsible manner, to ensure our buildings are secure and our students are safe.

2024-2025 Academic Calendar

HSD 2024-2025 Calendar rev 08282024

Links to Student Handbooks

Hinsdale Elementary School Student Handbook 2024-2025

Hinsdale Middle High School Handbook 2024-2025

Bus Routes

Bus Routes 2024-2025

School Board Policies

Please review our School Board Policies here: https://bit.ly/3Jq9Fvh.

It is your obligation to contact the school district if you have any questions regarding school policies and procedures. Furthermore, it is your responsibility to inform your child that it is their responsibility to follow all school rules.

Emergency Alerts and Information

This year, we will use BrightArrow Technologies to contact parents in the event of emergency. Please contact your school office for information on how to update provide current phone numbers of people to contact for their children.

To receive school alerts via text, you must text the word YES to 79041.

School closings due to weather are announced on the following as early as possible:

WMUR-TV NH Channel 9
WKNE (Monadnock Radio Group)
WTSA-FM (96.7)
WKVT-FM (92.7)

School is IN SESSION unless a change is mentioned in closings or delays.

District Staff Members

Michelle Bemis	Occupational Therapist Asst.	336-5332 x7643	mbemis@hnhsd.org
Nate Boudreau	Facilities Director	336-5984 x7851	nboudreau@hnhsd.org
Sara Donahue	HES Social Worker	336-5332 x7644	sdonahue@hnhsd.org
Natalie Filipkowski	Occupational Therapist	336-5332 x7643	nfilipkowski@hnhsd.org
Timothy Fleming	HMHS Social Worker	336-5984 x7844	tfleming@hnhsd.org
Jane Fortson, CPA	Business Administrator & Title IX Coordinator	336-5728 x7682	jfortson@hnhsd.org
Margit Foster	ESOL Teacher	336-5984 x7895	mfoster@hnhsd.org
Gretchen Higgins	Accountant	336-5728 x7687	ghiggins@hnhsd.org
Laura LeClair	Student Services Administrative Assistant	336-5728 x7607	llclair@hnhsd.org
Connor Martin	Technical Support Specialist	336-5984 x7866	cmartin@hnhsd.org
Cheryl Momaney	Speech Pathologist	336-5332 x7646	cmomaney@hnhsd.org
Maryanne O’Malley	HASP Director	336-5332 x7630	momalley@hnhsd.org
Palak Patel	Curriculum Administrative Assistant	336-5332 x7629	ppatel@hnhsd.org
Katherine Quaassdorff	Speech Assistant	336-5332 x7642	kathyQ@hnhsd.org
David Ryan, Ed.D.	Superintendent	336-5728 x7688	dryan@hnhsd.org
Jeanne Sturges	Curriculum Coordinator	336-5332 x7645	jsturges@hnhsd.org
Miriam Tallman	SAU Office Assistant	336-5728 x7683	mtallman@hnhsd.org
Justin Therieau	Director of Technology	336-5984 x7850	jtherieau@hnhsd.org
Karen Thompson, M.Ed.	Director of Academics & Career Readiness	336-5984 x7888	kthompson@hnhsd.org
Det. David Upton	School Resource Officer	336-5984 x7867	SRO@hnhsd.org
Patricia Wallace, M.Ed., CAGS	Director of Student Services	336-5728 x7685	pwallace@hnhsd.org
Maria Webb	Executive Assistant to the Superintendent	336-5728 x7684	mwebb@hnhsd.org

Maintenance & Custodial Staff
Jordan Bean	Custodian		jbean@hnhsd.org
Drew Cooper	Custodian		dcooper@hnhsd.org
Scott Debell	Custodian		sdebell@hnhsd.org
Christopher Grove	Custodian		cgrove@hnhsd.org
David Ricker	Maintenance		dricker@hnhsd.org
Reginald Stanclift	Custodian		rstanclift@hnhsd.org
Gunther Warren	Custodian		gwarren@hnhsd.org

The Abbey Group Food Service Policy

2024-2025 School Year

Hinsdale School Lunch Provider

The Abbey Group is an award-winning food service Management Company with a passion for high quality ingredients, locally sourced products, sustainable food service practices and exceptional customer service. The Abbey Group provides a wide variety of menu choices every day to its client schools throughout New England and New York. For more information about our company and services, please visit our website: www.abbeygroup.net.

Student Accounts, Payment and Pricing

The Food Service program uses the Titan computer point of sale system to track student account transactions. Parents may view student purchase history and receive low balance notifications free of charge. Titan also allows users to deposit money or make payments on account for a nominal fee. Please visit our website at www.abbeygroup.net for more information. Student accounts must maintain a positive balance. We recommend using the Meals Plus on-line payment feature to deposit funds or send a check directly to the cafeteria made payable to Hinsdale School Hot Lunch Program the first week of school. Please write your child(ren)’s name and/or ID number clearly. Cards for K-2 students with the student’s school food service ID number will be issued the first week of school. This number will be used to track the

student’s account transactions throughout the year. A detailed report may be requested at any time. Snack beverages, additional entrées or other a la carte purchases may be purchased on accounts in good standing. To prohibit or limit a la carte purchases please call the cafeteria or visit our website for the email address at: www.abbeygroup.net. Breakfast and lunch meal prices can be found on our website www.abbeygroup.net and on the school lunch menu sent home each month.

Free and Reduced Priced School Meals Policy

Parents or guardians should review the income eligibility guidelines to see if the student qualifies for free or reduced meal benefits. Applications are available in the information packet sent home at the beginning of the school year or parents may contact the school office or download online at: https://family.titank12.com Parents or guardians can apply or reapply for free and reduced meal benefits at any time during the school year when there is a change in family income. Free and reduced priced school meals information is strictly confidential.

FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY INCOME CHART For School Year 2024 – 2025
Household size	Yearly	Monthly	Weekly
1	27,861	2,322	536
2	37,814	3,152	728
3	47,767	3,981	919
4	57,720	4,810	1,110
5	67,673	5,640	1,302
6	77,626	6,469	1,493
7	87,579	7,299	1,685
8	97,532	8,128	1,876
Each additional person:	9,953	830	192

Alternate Meal Policy

All accounts are subject to the Account Charge Policy established by your school. Please visit your school’s website to view their current Account Charge Policy. Zero account balance notification letters are sent home weekly. Please remit payment promptly. If you have any questions regarding your child’s account, please call your school Food Services Director. Their email address and phone number can be located at

Snack Beverage Policy

All students participating in school snack programs must pay for milk or juice regardless of income eligibility. Milk is included in the price of all school meals. Students with free or reduced meal benefits are reminded that milk is only included with a complete meal otherwise a la carte prices apply.

Choice & Variety

The Food Service program offers many breakfast and lunch choices daily. Please visit our website for the daily meal offerings at your school: www.abbeygroup.net. Assorted fresh fruit and vegetables as well as a choice of milk are included with every meal.

Breakfast Program

The Abbey school breakfast program is open to everyone. Studies have shown that eating breakfast can reduce stomach aches, improve alertness, and overall help students be better learners. Our breakfast program offers daily choices such as: yogurt parfait meal, ham and cheese on a whole wheat bagel, sausage & cheese muffin, scrambled eggs and breakfast bun, fruit filled muffins, hot or cold cereal, and other breakfast entrees available on a rotating basis. All breakfast meals include milk and fresh fruit.

Field Trips

The Food Service program loves to make bag lunches for any occasion. Please place your order through the classroom teacher 3 days prior to the trip. The price is the same price as for lunch. The bag lunch contains a healthy sandwich, fresh fruit and vegetables, granola bar, milk or juice. There are classroom incentives available for large orders. Free and reduced lunch prices apply to bag lunches for those who qualify.

Promotions

The Food Service program provides promotional and entertaining events throughout the year such as holiday meals, barbecues, and more. We encourage parents and other family members to join their children and The Abbey Group for these fun filled occasions. All promotions are to encourage healthy eating and involve the community in the National School Lunch Program. The promotions are advertised on the menu with the details posted in the cafeteria.

Nutrition

The Food Service program is actively involved with the Department of Education School Nutrition Programs, School Nutrition Association, New England Dairy Council, and many other organizations to bring healthy, appealing, delicious meals to your school. We incorporate low fat, low sodium cooking techniques and we offer 100% whole grains with all our menu choices. The Abbey encourages healthy eating habits with our “Eat Smart Play Hard” nutrition class. Eat Smart Play Hard is a fun filled presentation designed to teach students about making healthy food choices and being physically active.

Dishing Up Local

The Abbey Group proudly supports Farm to School activities to connect the cafeteria, classroom and the community. Farm to School objectives include improving student nutrition, providing agricultural, health and education opportunities and supporting local and regional farmers. The Abbey Group directs its purchasing efforts to include locally grown produce & locally made products in our menu production. We feature a monthly menu devoted to local ingredients including those grown in school gardens. Please contact us if you would like to participate in a local farm to school initiative.

Student/Adult Account Policy

The goal of The Abbey Food Service Group is to provide delicious, nutritious, high-quality meals to all students and staff of every school we represent. All accounts are subject to the Account Charge Policy established by your school. Please visit your school’s website to view their current Account Charge Policy.

Written notification,

Phone notification, Minus Balance, is initiated to the parent/guardian, when there is a negative balance equal to or beyond two charged meals.
With no response, and within the guidelines of reasonable fiscal restraints, the school and parent/guardian are then notified.

We recommend using the Meals Plus online payment feature: https://family.titank12.com.

Refund Policy

For accounts with a positive balance at the end of a school year, one of two things can occur:

For graduating students, positive balances will be transferred to younger siblings at the parent’s request.

If there is not another sibling, a positive balance refund request can be made by submitting a request to your student’s school administrative office. If a request is not made, the balances will remain in the school’s hot lunch program.

For returning students with a positive balance, their balance will be carried over on their account into the new school year.

Closing Statement

If at any time you have any questions or comments, please contact your school and ask for the Food Service Supervisor. You may also contact Scott Choiniere, Vice President of Operations at 802-933-4747 or visit our website: www.abbeygroup.net . We value our customers and always appreciate your comments.

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by the USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact the USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to the USDA containing all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to the USDA by:

MAIL: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

FAX: (202) 690-7442; or
EMAIL: program.intake@usdgov.

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

School Street Information

Traffic on School Street shall be directed one-way southbound between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday year-round. The one-way area will start at Route 119 and ends at the north side of the entranceway leading to the parking lot located in the rear of the elementary school. Two-way traffic will be from said parking lot to Prospect Street. All buses and delivery vehicles shall be exempt.

Special Education Team

A parent is entitled under law to refer his/her child directly to special education. Upon receipt of the referral, a meeting will be scheduled within 15 business days to determine the need for an evaluation or other intervention. If the team determines and the parent consents to an evaluation, the school will complete the evaluation and have a meeting within 60 calendar days. In this meeting all evaluations will be reviewed. After the review, the team will complete a deliberation form to determine eligibility for the educational disability that is being looked at for that child. If the team determines that the child qualifies for having an educational disability and there is a need for specially designed instruction, a meeting will be completed within 30 calendar days to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Student Concern Team

The Student Concern Team (SCT) is available for any student who appears to have significant behavior or academic challenges. A student may be referred by a parent, teacher, and staff member, School Resource Officer or self-referred. Problems might include alcohol or drug abuse, severe depression, child abuse, eating disorders and school phobia, among others. The team’s role is to develop an understanding of the nature of the problem and to make recommendations to resolve the problem. The team is made up of the school psychologist, student assistance counselor, (if available), school nurse, school counselor, classroom teacher, and administrator. A referral form may be obtained from the School Counselors or Principal or Assistant Principal. As mandated by federal and state regulations, a student experiencing significant academic difficulty, or significant attendance issues, may be brought to the attention of the SCT as part of the pre-referral process. School staff recommend that students experiencing difficulty be discussed first with the SCT in order to respond quickly to concerns and begin to gather relevant information.

Building Support Team Process:

First Student School Bus Rules

Students living outside the walking limits to school are granted the privilege of riding the school bus to and from school. In order to maintain a safe, efficient, and orderly means of transportation, students must choose to display acceptable behavior.

The school bus driver is in complete charge of the bus and the pupils. The bus driver has the same authority in maintaining discipline as a teacher in the classroom.
Pupils must be at their designated bus stops five (5) minutes prior to the pickup time. Schedules do not allow waiting for late students.
Permission to get off at a stop that is not the student’s regular stop shall follow individual school policy.
All pupils must remain properly seated until the bus comes to a complete stop and the eight-way lights are activated.
Emergency exits are to be used for emergency drills twice a calendar year and emergency situations only.
Pupils shall hold onto the handrail when loading and unloading.
Students may bring acceptable items on the bus only if the item can be held in the student’s lap.
Skateboards, skis, rollerblades, animals, glass containers, nuisance items, and other objects of an injurious or objectionable nature are prohibited on the school bus. Articles not allowed in school are also prohibited.
Students who are confronted by the bus driver for unacceptable behavior shall provide the driver with their name. Failure to do so may result in suspension from riding the bus for up to three (3) days.
The bus driver is authorized to assign seats whenever necessary.
Students shall not be destructive of the school bus seats, sidewalls, floor, and/or windows, nor shall they tamper with any other bus equipment. The cost of any intentional damage will be the responsibility of the student/parent. Destruction of First Student property will result in a 5-day mandatory suspension from the bus and students will remain off all buses until such a time as a suitable payment agreement can be met.
While classroom voice between students is permitted, loud, vulgar, obscene, and improper language or gestures will not be tolerated on the bus.
Pupils will refrain from throwing things in the windows, out the windows or around the inside of the bus. Trash will be placed in receptacles on the bus. NO LITTERING.
Eating and drinking are not allowed.
Smoking, Smokeless Tobacco, Alcohol, Drug use, and the use of lighters or matches are forbidden.
No spraying of perfumes, deodorants, hairspray, air fresheners, etc. is allowed on the bus.
Fighting, pushing, tripping, bullying, or spitting will not be tolerated.
Any other behavior relating to safety, well-being, and respect for others in a harmful, destructive, or degrading manner is not acceptable.

Parents please note! There may be circumstances that could result in immediate suspension from the bus. If this should happen, parents/guardian shall be responsible for providing transportation. All buses are equipped with cameras that have both audio and video recording capabilities.

Publication Release Guidelines

Consistent with the Family Education and Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) the Hinsdale School District allows publication of student work, pictures, and names in both print (newspaper) and electronic (web page) formats. (Examples, yearbook, team pictures, concerts, graduation ceremonies, etc.)

No personal information about a student will be allowed. This includes telephone numbers and addresses.
Individuals in pictures, sound recordings, movies, or student work may be identified only by their first name on web pages and first and last name in print format.
Parents/guardians must sign a release before a picture, sound recording, movie or student work will be published either on the school web site or in print.
Parents may opt out of the release by indicating their desire to opt out on the required form.

Playground Rules

Adult Supervision is required at all times when children are playing.
Prevent Injuries! Ensure that children are using playground equipment appropriately. No climbing on the top of the tube slide! Instructions are available at the school office.
The Pre-School playground is reserved for children aged 1-4.
Report defective equipment immediately to the building principal. Email mbremner@hnhsd.org or 336-5332 ext. 7602
Do not pick up/move surfacing material.
Pick up your own trash. Leave the playground as you found it – or better.
Bucket swing is reserved for children aged 1-3, and children with disabilities.
Middle-and High School students (and adults) may not use playground equipment due to elevated risk of injury and equipment failure limited by the amount of weight it can hold.
The use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs is strictly prohibited per RSA 193-B.
The playground is not available to the general public due to safety reasons between the hours of 8:15 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday for school use only.
The playground will be closed from dusk to dawn.
The area is under video and camera surveillance.

Emergency Response Plan

In case of emergency, plans and procedures are in place. If evacuation is recommended, all students will be transported to a convenient location. Parents will be notified and directed to the location where connections with your child will be ensured.

Safe School Grounds

Hinsdale School District Policies and Procedures dealing with unlawful and deviant student behavior will be enforceable on town properties abutting school district land. The policies and procedures may be invoked when the welfare of students is in question and/or unlawful acts are involved. Town properties abutting school district land are defined as follows:

The athletic fields running from high school to Brattleboro Road.
Heritage Park
The property runs west from the high school to the chain link fence, and south to Prospect Street.

The Policies and Procedures outlined in this document remain in effect for District-owned buildings.

Suicide Prevention Plan

Please see below for the Hinsdale School District Suicide Prevention Plan. It will focus upon the definitions of terms, the response to suicide and attempts at suicide, and the steps to take for student and staff education per RSA193 J:1:3. The key personnel in the district will be identified as well as resources available. Finally, the plan for Dissemination and Communication of the plan will be addressed.

The outcome associated with the document use will be to protect the health and wellbeing of all students by having procedures in place to prevent, assess the risk of, intervene in and respond to suicide and suicide attempts.

Definitions

Risk Factor – Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life.
Risk Assessment – An evaluation of a student who may be at-risk for suicide, conducted by the appropriate designated school staff (e.g., school psychologist, school social worker, school counselor, or in some cases, trained school administrator or teacher). This assessment is designed to elicit information regarding the student’s intent to die by suicide, previous history of suicide attempts, presence of a suicide plan and its level of lethality and availability, presence of support systems, and level of hopelessness and helplessness, mental status, and other relevant risk factors.
Warning sign – Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. Warning signs warrant greater attention and more immediate intervention than risk factors.
Protective Factor – Protective factors are characteristics or attributes that reduce the likelihood of attempting or completing suicide. Protective factors are skills, strengths, or resources that help people deal more effectively with stressful events.
Postvention – Postvention is a term used in the suicide prevention field. The definition is from the US national guidelines developed by Survivors of Suicide Loss Task Force
Postvention is an organized response in the aftermath of a suicide to accomplish any one or more of the following:
- To facilitate the healing of individuals from the grief and distress of suicide loss
- To mitigate other negative effects of exposure to suicide
- To prevent suicide among people who are at high risk after exposure to suicide

Suicide Prevention Protocol

If you, or someone you know, needs extra support during this time, confidential 24-hour helplines are available:

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

NH Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 1-800-273-8255

NH Addiction Crisis Line: Call 1-844-711-4357

If you or someone you know are experiencing a mental health emergency, please do one of the following:

Call your local police department

Call 911

Call the Mobile Crisis Response Team (800)-688-3544

Go to the nearest Emergency Room

Response to Suicide and Suicide Attempts

The crisis response team will be made up of the school counselors at both schools, the school social workers, a school psychologist if available, and a member of the administration of both schools.

Postvention

The overall goals postvention are:

Establish a single point of contact with the parents
Determine the method to inform students, staff and the community
Provide opportunities for grief support
Maintain an environment focused on normal educational activities
Help students and staff cope with their feelings
Minimize the risk of suicide contagion
Provide resources for staff to manage the incident
Maintain open communication with staff
Prepare a media statement if needed

Re-Entry Plan for Student Attempting Suicide

A school-employed mental health professional or other designee shall be identified to coordinate with the student, their parent or guardian, and any outside health professionals involved with the student.
A determination will need to be made about making up missed work, the nature of check-in and check-out, and any other necessary accommodations for the student.
Periodic check ins will be conducted (frequency to be determined)
The administration shall disclose to the student’s teachers and other relevant staff that the student is returning from a medical absence and may need adjustments for assignments.

Suicide Contagion

The Crisis Response Team should meet to identify students who may be at a heightened risk for suicide due to underlying mental disorders or behavioral problems, or who have been exposed to the prior suicide directly or indirectly. Of special concern are those students who:

Have a history of suicide attempts
Have a history of depression, trauma, or loss
Are dealing with stressful life events such as a death or divorce in the family
Are family members or close friends of the deceased
Received a phone call, text or other communication from the deceased foretelling the suicide
Had a last negative interaction with the deceased
May have fought with or bullied the deceased.

Student Education

Healthy Choices

Protective factors are the positive conditions or resources that promote resiliency and reduce the potential for youth suicide and harmful choices.

Close family friends.
Strong sense of self worth
Sense of personal control
Reasonably stable environment
Best friends
Responsibility to others
Activities
Pets
Lack of access to lethal means

Coping Strategies

Developmentally appropriate, student-centered education materials shall be integrated into the curriculum of all K-12 health classes and other classes as appropriate. The content of these age-appropriate materials shall include the importance of safe and healthy choices and coping strategies focused on resiliency building, and how to recognize risk factors and warning signs of mental health conditions and suicide in oneself and others. The content shall also include help-seeking strategies for oneself or others and how to engage school resources and refer friends for help. At the elementary level, school counselors use “I Can” statements to guide and supplement classroom discussions around developmentally appropriate information.

Risk Factor Recognition

All staff, designated volunteers, and any other personnel who have regular contact with students, including contracted personnel or third-party employees, shall receive at least two hours of annual training (such as but not limited to NAMI Connect Program, or Youth Mental Health First Aid) in suicide awareness and prevention. Such training may include information and professional development on risk factors, warning signs, protective factors, response procedures, referrals, postvention, and resources regarding youth suicide prevention.

The professional development shall include additional information regarding groups of students at elevated risk for suicide, including those living with mental and/or substance use disorders, those who engage in self-harm or have attempted suicide, those in out-of-home settings (e.g., youth in foster care, group homes, incarcerated youth), those experiencing homelessness, American Indian/Alaska Native students, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning) students, students bereaved by suicide, and those with medical conditions or certain types of disabilities. Additional professional development in risk assessment and crisis intervention shall be provided to school-employed mental health professionals and school nurses.

Warning signs

Talking about death or dying in general.
Talking about suicide or wanting to die.
Talking about means or methods to hurt oneself.
Obtaining a weapon or other means.
Isolating self from friends and family.
Feeling life is meaningless, hopeless, or helpless.
Putting life in order or giving away possessions.
Picking fights, arguing, irritability, increased anger.
Sudden improvement in mood after being down or withdrawn.
Neglect of appearance or hygiene.
Sleep and/or appetite changes.
Dropping of activities.
Direct Verbal Cues such as: “I wish I was dead,” “You’ll be better off without me,” “I’m so tired of it all,” “Pretty soon you won’t have to worry about me,” or, “No one will miss me when I am gone.”

Staff Training

On an annual basis the staff will be trained in each of the following areas:.
Risk Factors – Staff will have knowledge of what a risk factor is and how to recognize them.
Warning Signs – Staff will follow the Suicide protocol procedure and ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell) procedure if they recognize any of the warning signs in students.
Protective Factors – Staff will know the protective factors preventing suicide and be able to support students.
Response Procedures – At the beginning of each year all staff will review the ACT protocol prior to beginning the school year and in more detail during the annual full training.
Referrals – Based upon a recognition of a warning sign being present staff will notify a school counselor immediately. In the absence of a school counselor being available the principal should be contacted. At no point should the student be left alone.
Postvention – Staff will be trained in postvention methods in the aftermath of a suicide or suicide attempt.
Resources Available – Staff will be given the state hotline and rapid response number. In addition, per RSA the emergency number will be printed on the back of all Identification Cards.

Confidentiality

Confidential Information

As part of the job performance of the District, employees may produce and receive information that must be kept confidential. Confidential information includes information obtained during the course of employment relating to the conduct of School District internal affairs. It shall also include information relating to students that is otherwise protected by applicable state and federal privacy laws. School District employees shall not disclose nor transmit such confidential information concerning students or others, or confidential internal information and shall use extreme care to protect against negligent or inadvertent disclosure of such information. Reference board policy GBEAA CONFIDENTIAL STUDENT INFORMATION

Designation of Personnel

District Coordinator – School Psychologist

Building Liaisons – School Social Workers

Principals

Other – Nurses

Resources

If you, or someone you know, needs extra support during this time, confidential 24-hour helplines are available:

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

NH Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 1-800-273-8255

NH Addiction Crisis Line: Call 1-844-711-4357

If you or someone you know are experiencing a mental health emergency, please do one of the following:

Call your local police department

Call 911

Call the Mobile Crisis Response Team (800)-688-3544

Go to the nearest Emergency Room

For mental health emergencies

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (24/7 Line)
Especially for teens – Teen Head Rest – 1-800-639-6095

Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services

After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Guidelines: A Resource for School Personnel: Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program

Trevor Resource Kit : The Trevor Project

Supportive Families, Healthy Children: Helping Families with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) : Children Family Acceptance Project

Supporting the Grieving Child and Family : American Academy of Pediatrics

Crisis and Support Services

Suicide Prevention Resource Center or 877-438-7772: Education Development Center, Inc, 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02458-1060

National Alliance on Mental Health- NH resources are listed below:

Dissemination and Communication of the Plan

The plan will be posted on the district website, included in the Student Handbook, and included in the Faculty Handbook. A crisis guide for parents will also be in the same places.

Designated Asbestos Coordinator
Asbestos 2024-2025