Creating Safer, More Supportive Schools for All

The Oshkosh Area School District will train up-to 350 elementary (pre-kindergarten through grade five) staff in the trauma-informed conscious discipline approach to classroom management and community building. Conscious discipline was recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. To augment this work, a different cohort of administrators will annually attend the Conscious Discipline Elevate Conference, and a team will also attend the National Association of School Psychologists annual convention in year two. The project will train 200 middle and high school (grades six through 12) staff in restorative discipline practices that develop equitable school communities, repair harm, and reduce exclusionary, inequitable disciplinary actions. OASD will also plan and conduct an annual active threat practice response to an emergency event at three different school sites. The threat scenario will change from year to year, and the drill will involve all district staff and first responder partners that play a role in the OASD emergency response protocol. Each exercise will be planned and coordinated with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department and Emergency Preparedness Collaborative Operations Team, which connects more than 70 Winnebago County school, law enforcement, healthcare, health and human services, government, and first responder partners at monthly meetings to ensure that local schools and first responder partners are prepared for emergency situations. Engaging 425 OASD staff members and administrators in three years of coaching from the Cooperative Educational Service Agency 6 (CESA 6) Center4All will grow staff intercultural competency and build the capacity of district and school leaders to provide more equitable and inclusive services and approaches to discipline and engagement. The project will also audit the existing District Emergency Operations Plan to ensure the plan is infused with an equity perspective. These collective strategies will provide a more equitable and supportive learning environment in all 17 OASD schools, reduce the number of violent incidents occurring in OASD schools, and ultimately create a safer school climate for over 9,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students.