News in brief: School based health center update, high school volunteers, staff supports teacher

A rendering of the new School-Based Health Center coming to Springfield High School.Construction starts on school based health center at Springfield High School  

Construction has started on the new School Based Health Center at Springfield High School. The $2 million center is expected to revolutionize access to healthcare for students, families in the Springfield City School District, and the greater Springfield community.

The School Based Health Center is scheduled to open in time for the 2024-2025 school year. Rocking Horse Community Health Center will operate the Health Center. 
Initially, the Health Center will offer a variety of services, including primary care, vaccinations, health screenings, mental health counseling, and patient resource assistance. The Health Center is also designed to accommodate dental and vision services in the future.

 School District Superintendent Dr. Bob Hill says School Based Health Centers “are an evidence-based model shown to improve both health and educational outcomes, including reduced student absenteeism, decreased suspensions and improved graduation rates. We are optimistic about how the SBHC (Health Center) at Springfield High will positively impact our community moving forward.”

The need for such access was identified as a primary concern of parents and community members as part of the Springfield City School District Strategic Plan (2022-2025) unveiled in 2021.

[Related story: School-Based Health Center to be built on Springfield High School campus]

Springfield High School National Honor Society serves at St. Vincent de Paul

The Springfield High School National Honor Society volunteered their time recently at St. Vincent de Paul in Springfield.The Springfield High School National Honor Society volunteered their time recently at St. Vincent de Paul in Springfield. Students spent several hours organizing items in the agency’s thrift store and developing more of an understanding of how the organization serves the greater Springfield community.

St. Vincent operates a thrift store, food pantry and community center in Springfield. It has several other satellite operations in Clark and Logan counties. 

St. Vincent de Paul provides support for those in need, including assistance with rent, utilities, prescription costs, IDs, clothing, furniture, and computer usage. Recently it has offered English classes to immigrants.

The Springfield High School Honor Society participates in several service projects throughout the school year. The students are advised by Springfield High School German Teacher, Ms. Niki Sage, who was recently recognized at the state level for her focus on creativity in the classroom and service learning.

“It’s incredibly important that our students have these opportunities to participate in servant leadership activities because they learn so much about the community around them – even though many of them have lived in Springfield their entire lives,” says District Superintendent Dr. Bob Hill. “Many of them are discovering a newly sparked passion for service, which is truly inspiring to see in our young people.”

Simon Kenton Elementary staff show support for teaching battling cancer

Staff supports teacher fighting breast cancer.

Simon Kenton Elementary School staff members are rallying around a fellow teacher who was recently diagnosed with cancer. At 32 years old, kindergarten teacher Molly Carroll learned that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  

Ms. Carroll was to begin chemotherapy the week of Jan. 22. To show their support for her, the Simon Kenton staff surprised Ms. Carroll recently by wearing white and pink T-shirts that say ‘In Our Fighting Era.’ The staff will continue to wear the shirts throughout the school year on the day before Ms. Carroll receives treatment as a boost of encouragement. The staff also gifted Ms. Carroll with a “chemo care package.”

In addition, the students at Simon Kenton Elementary will receive a special surprise next week so that they may also show their support for Ms. Carroll during this time.
“We have had several members of our staff who have either endured cancer or who are actively going through it,” says Simon Kenton Principal Allyson Thurman. “This is a small way that we can show them that they have a second family of people who love them and who will be here for them every step of the way, from initial diagnosis to remission.”

Source: Springfield City School District