Silver Sage Bulletin for July 23, 2024 (Jul. 25, 2024)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024:

President Art Thorn presided.
Mark Abramson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance
Tom Bates gave the invocation
Jerry Ouzts led the recitation of the Four-Way Test

Guests: Mark Abramson, Former Rotarian Lucy Falley, Honorary Rotarian Peter Herzberg, and Commissioner Alicia Edwards and Joyce Barela, Mental Health Management Liaison for Silver City Schools, today's speakers.

Announcements:
Art informed the club that next week we will be meeting at HMS and also on August 13. On the 6th we will be back at the University. There will be a club assembly next week with a seminar given by Peter Falley on using our ClubRunner website.

Art covered the lineup of speakers for the next several weeks.
A list of club committees was passed out, and Art stated that we currently don't have a Club Administration Chair and he is looking for a volunteer to take on that position.
Mark Richard said that the name for the polio fundraiser is Musica Encantada Polio on October 26 at 7:30 pm at Light Hall.
Maggie Callaway reminded everyone about the bake sale on September 7 from 10am to 2 pm at the Makers’ Market.
Tom Bates on behalf of The Commons thanked Rotary for their generous donation to a very successful event.
Jim Callender stated there would be a quick Foundation Board meeting prior to the Club Board meeting.

Happy Dollars: Art was happy to see Lucy at the meeting.

Program:

Art asked Alicia Edwards, county commissioner, to introduce her fellow speaker, Joyce Barela. Alicia shared that in her role as a coordinator for Healthy Kids, Healthy Community, she sees a
lot of individuals struggling with mental health issues. Silver schools are offering incredible help to these kids/families by virtue of a six million dollar grant, and Joyce is the mental health
liaison for Silver City consolidated schools. Joyce was recently inducted into the WNMU Education Hall of Fame.
Joyce stated that because of the grant, seven additional mental health providers have been added in the Silver school system and that through collaboration with the University two internship positions have been added as well. One of the big projects worked on is a wellness room with a mental health provider at each
school to help students who have emotional or mental health concerns. The goal is to help with students’ mental health so they can return to the classroom and be productive. There are also student-led support groups. In addition, family support is provided. A social worker is available to work with parents.
An AI mental health app for schools called Alongside, is available for students to help with various issues such as test anxiety,
peer relationships, etc. Over half of the student body at Silver High School has signed up for this app. Next year the app will be rolled out to all students grades fifth through high school.
A new initiative this year will be adding 30-minute sessions, which are to help reduce stress and anxiety. There will be renovations at the high school this year in areas where students gather such as the lobby, the library to make them more comfortable so students can look forward to coming to school.

Alicia shared some information about SHAC, the school health advisory committee. Their first initiative will launch in August and will occur every month throughout the school year. Educational materials will be placed on bathroom stall doors. Joyce said that a laundry service has been started to assist homeless students. A big project for this coming year is a clothing bank so that any student needing clothing support can come to the bank and get what they need. Donations of money and new clothing are needed.

After a question period, Art presented Alicia and Joyce with a gift and adjourned the meeting at 12:49 pm.