Gateway Family Services Expanding Their Therapy Horse Presence in Dist 118

(ABOVE) Gateway Family Services’ Michael Remole presents tiny horses to members of the District 118 Board prior to his Wednesday evening presentation.

After a very successful school year at District 118’s Mark Denman Elementary and North Ridge Middle School, Michael Remole and Gateway Family Services out of Potomac will be bringing their therapy horses and mental health treatment to a third District 118 school in the coming year: South View Upper Elementary.

As Remole reminded the board Wednesday evening (May 24th), horses are able to connect with humans in a unique way that calms them; and this has shown some amazing results with District 118 students.  Mark Denman principal Stacie Sollars said a recent trip for some of the participating students to the actual horse farm in Potomac showed amazing results.  And it’s a team effort on which students actually visit the farm.

AUDIO: A lot of it is parent involvement.  Some of our kiddos that we just took out; their parents have become involved with Michael and the program within the school.  So we wanted to first start out with those kiddos; to see what a one-on-one at the farm would be like.

Gateway Family Services’ Michael Remole looks on as Mark Denman principal Stacie Sollars talks about Gateway’s success with therapy horses making connections with Mark Denman students.

Michael Remole says the great thing about adding South View to the roster is that elementary students who were part of the program at Mark Denman will be able to continue to be as 5th and 6th graders at South View, and then as 7th and 8th graders at North Ridge.

AUDIO: We wanted to add that upper elementary group to the mix.  The thing is, we see that kids face different challenges as they hit that age.  And so we want to be able to support them through that process, so that we can build on the success that they had in elementary school.

The new contract approved by the District 118 Board is for a total of $272,625, being totally paid for by ESSER COVID relief funding.  The contract includes this year’s summer school, as it runs from June 1st of this year, through June 30th of 2024.

Also during Wednesday’s board meeting, DHS teacher Alyssa Staley was honored with a few students, a junior and two freshman, who had placed in state prose and poetry competition.  The students attending were junior Abigail Hogg, who received a first place award; along with freshmen Da’Soni Lewis and Nadia Gamble, who received second place awards.

DHS teacher Alyssa Staley with state placing prose/poetry students Nadia Gamble, Da’Soni Lewis, and Abigail Hogg.

AUDIO: (Steve Brandy speaks with, in order of appearance; Abigail Hogg, Da’Soni Lewis, Nadia Gamble.)

Staley says she hopes this is just the beginning.

AUDIO: I would like more first place awards and I would like more students to participate.  It would great to see double the amount of students participate next year.

Dr. David L Fields Teachers of the Year were also honored during Wednesday’s meeting:

Incoming DHS Principal Jake Bretz presents Taylor Heston with High School Teacher of Year Award.

Kenneth D Bailey Academy Principal Mitzi Campbell presents Sommer Frazier with Middle School Teacher of Year Award.

South View Principal Robin Fluno presents Ashley Valangeon with Upper Elementary Teacher of Year Award.

Meade Park Principal Tanner DeLaurier presents Mark Denman teacher Laurie Grant with Elementary School Teacher of Year Award.  (ALSO RECEIVING AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF YEAR AWARD: BRITTANY SCOTT FROM NORTHEAST SCHOOL)