I would like to share some learning opportunities with you.  Share these with all who will listen.

REACH Stewartville learned last week that we will be receiving a Star of Innovation Award at the 2017 Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals Summer Conference at Breezy Point Resort this June.  We will also be doing 2 presentations at the conference on June 14th.  Encourage school administrators in your area to attend this conference to learn more about ACEs and how REACH Stewartville is making meaningful connections with our students to help offset their effects.  School administrators will also leave with resources needed to implement similar programs in their own school districts.

I also learned this week that my presentation "Combatting ACEs with REACH" has been approved for the 2017 Education MN Summer Seminar to be held at St. Benedicts in St. Joseph, July 31 - Aug. 2.  I will be sharing my own story of ACEs along with a REACH Program overview for teachers in attendance.

Keep talking!  Someone will listen!  This may not happen right away.  There are some who will NEVER listen, but we must keep trying because there are others who WANT to listen and do what they can to help.

The effects ACEs have on our students is difficult for some to understand.  Fortunately, medical science is catching up to what we have known all along - our childhood has an effect on our adulthood.

I am proud to lead REACH Stewartville!  REACH is an elective class offered at Stewartville High School and Middle School.  I grew up in Stewartville with an ACEs score of 8.  This has given me strength, purpose, and meaning.  This allows me to effectively make connections with current Stewartville students who are in the middle of dealing with their own ACEs.

OUR MISSION:  "Growing up in today’s world is not easy. The mission of the REACH Program is to make meaningful connections with our students who need support. Our aim is to educate the “whole student” and to help them become the best person they can be through Relationships, Education, Accountability, Character, and Hard work. The personal/emotional needs of our students must be met first so they can find the academic success they are looking for. The tools we use are personal connections, individual support, and patience."

"They are all great kids; some just don't know it yet." - Jim Parry

Below are a few links from media attention REACH Stewartville has received this spring.

http://www.kaaltv.com/news/ste...each-closet/4380080/

http://thinkstewartville.com/m...&ArticleID=10592

http://www.kimt.com/story/3491...-to-students-in-need

http://www.kimt.com/story/3532...rogram-getting-award

Follow how REACH Stewartville is making connections with students dealing with ACEs at:  www.facebook.com/reachstewartville

Again, keep talking!  Someone will listen!

Jim Parry

REACH Stewartville Program Coordinator

Stewartville High School and Middle School