2024-2025
Gallipolis City School District Student Wellness and Success Plan FY2024-2025
Gallipolis City School District supports Ohio’s strategic plan for education. According to HB 166, we have created and documented critical components of the GCSD Student Wellness and Success Plan. We have identified areas of need through a district improvement review, district data, state report card, needs assessment and school surveys.
Need Justification
· Improving the healthcare opportunities for students and families in our community.
· Improving student attendance, academic achievement, and graduation rate.
· Close the learning gap due to learning loss during the pandemic.
· Improving and expanding access to mental health and drug counselors for our students.
· Decrease problematic behaviors at school as a result of COVID isolation.
· Provide drug prevention programs to combat increased vaping and THC usage among students.
· Improve student behaviors and reduce disciplinary referrals through counseling and SEL programs.
· Provide Trauma Informed Care throughout the district.
· Improve the school climate through behavioral health programs and ensure teacher retention.
· Provide and support strong family engagement opportunities for parents and caregivers.
· Allow access to health care for staff, students and families (vision, dental, medical and mental health).
· Provide much needed wrap around services for students and families.
· Provide educational programs centered on prevention and improving health (sex education, drug prevention, SEL, physicals, hygiene, eye exams, well checks, professional development and parenting classes).
· Allow for educational and career opportunities in the health care field with our students.
· Establish a rapport with local businesses and health care providers for possible future job placements.
Gallipolis City School District Data
Year Attendance Rate Graduation Rate Academic Rating
2021-2022 91.2% 78.8%
2022-2023 92% 82% 2.5 Stars
Economically Disadvantaged: 59.7%
Budget
FY24 (remaining funds): $844,000
Initiative #1: Wellness Center Construction
Behavioral Health Offices
FY25 (now part of the General Fund): $395,157
Initiative #2 – Community Liaisons
Existing FTE – 1
Attendance Office (Barry Call)
Initiative #3 – Physical Health Services
Existing FTE-1
Nurse (JoBeth Bowcott)
Initiative #4 – Mental Health Services
New FTE - 1
Hopewell Mental Health Counselors Agreement
Expansion of Existing and New Partnerships
In partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital and funded by the Appalachian Community Grant, we are establishing a school-based wellness center on our high school campus. This center will provide both the school and the wider community with access to comprehensive healthcare and mental/behavioral health services. Additionally, it will offer students hands-on experience in the healthcare field, paving the way for future career opportunities. The facility will include an optometrist, dentist, dental hygienist, nurse practitioner, nurse, mental health counselors, school psychologists, as well as public restrooms, a lounge area, a reception area, and a waiting room. This essential facility will help ensure that students are in school, ready to learn, and prepared for success. It will also offer the community access to healthcare, mental health services, parenting classes, student engagement initiatives, and opportunities for family involvement within the school community.
An attendance officer can help significantly decrease chronic absenteeism in our district by implementing a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. This includes early identification and intervention, where students at risk of chronic absenteeism are flagged promptly. The officer can work closely with families to understand and address the underlying causes of absenteeism, whether they be health-related, socio-economic, or due to school environment issues. Regular communication and support for these families, coupled with creating a positive school climate that encourages attendance, are crucial. Collaboration with teachers, counselors, and community organizations to provide resources and support services can also help remove barriers to attendance. Furthermore, setting up attendance incentives and recognition programs can motivate students to attend school regularly. By employing data-driven strategies and fostering a supportive and inclusive school culture, an attendance officer can effectively reduce chronic absenteeism in our district.
A school nurse can significantly enhance healthcare services for students by providing more immediate and comprehensive care. By having more school nurses on staff, the school can ensure timely attention to health issues, reducing the time students spend out of class due to illness or injury. This allows for better management of chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and allergies, ensuring students receive necessary treatments and monitoring. Increased nurse availability also means more capacity for health education, promoting healthier lifestyles and preventive care among students. Furthermore, a nurse can contribute to mental health support, working alongside counselors to address emotional and psychological needs. This holistic approach not only improves the overall well-being of students but also fosters a healthier, more conducive learning environment, ultimately leading to better academic outcomes.
Contracting with Hopewell Health Centers to provide mental health services can greatly benefit students in our district by ensuring they have access to professional and specialized care directly within the school environment. This partnership can help address a range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to more severe psychological conditions, promoting early intervention and consistent support. By integrating these services into the school setting, students can receive timely help without the barriers of travel or scheduling conflicts. This accessibility can lead to improved emotional and behavioral well-being, better academic performance, and a more supportive school climate. Moreover, Hopewell Health Centers can offer valuable resources and training for school staff, equipping them to better understand and support students' mental health needs. Overall, this collaboration can create a healthier, more resilient student population and a stronger, more empathetic school community.
Partnerships
Holzer Health Systems: Athletic Trainer, Telehealth, Part-Time Nurse Practitioner, Community Health Needs Meetings, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Leadership Trainings.
Hopewell Heath Centers: Mental Health Counselors and Staff Wellness Corners.
Gallia-Jackson-Meigs ADAMHS Board: Drug Prevention and Recovery, Suicide Prevention and OHYES.
Health Recovery Systems (Gallia-Athens): Drug Prevention Education, Drug Counseling, and Second Step Program (K-8).
HOPE: Gallia County together for Healing, Outreach, Prevention, and Education Community Group: Anti-Human Trafficking, Suicide Prevention and Youth Led Programing.
Gallia-Jackson-Vinton ESC: Summer School Program, After School Program, Family/Parent Engagement, Career Palooza and Administrative Network Meetings
Ohio I See Program: Free Eye Exams and Glasses.
Ohio University: Health and Wellness Education.
Gallia County Health Department: Vape and Tobacco Prevention, CHIP Workgroup, and Vaccinations.
Gallia County Family and Children First Council: Help Me Grow, Youth Programing, Community Health Assessments, Service Coordination and Wrap Around Services.
Buckeye Hills Career Center: Vocational Education, Career Coaches and Drug Free America Program.
Jobs and Family Services: Level Up Program, After School Program, Summer School and CPS.
Gallia County Sheriff’s Office: Operation Street Smart, Trauma Informed Care, Therapy Dog and Drug Prevention Education.
Sustainability Plan
Gallipolis City School District has always had longstanding relationships with our community partners. This new wellness center will be located on the new high school campus and will be equipped to meet the needs of our school and community for many decades to come. This uniquely centralized facility will not only be able to serve the residents in Gallipolis, but instead better serve all resides which reside in Gallia County.
Funding Sources for the GAHS Wellness Center
Appalachian Community Grant
Our district was awarded a 2.6 million dollar grant through the Appalachian Community Grant in collaboration with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Holzer Health System.
Student Wellness and Success Funds
We are using our remaining Wellness Funds to contribute to this project. As of today, we have around $844,000 of unused 467 funds to supplement the project and cover the behavior health offices.
GCSD General Fund and Donations
We are also incorporating other district needs into this project that will cover the extra costs not included in the grant.