Students today face increasing challenges related to peer interactions, anxiety, and attention disorders, highlighting the need for strong mental health support. To proactively address these concerns, Holgate Local Schools added a Guidance Counselor for the 2023-2024 school year. With this addition, we can equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to strengthen peer relationships and enhance mental well-being. Our counselors work with students individually, in small groups, and through classroom guidance lessons.

To further support student mental health, Holgate Local Schools has established partnerships with several community organizations that provide valuable programs and services throughout the school day:

• Maumee Valley Guidance Center – SOS Program: The Signs of Suicide (SOS) program educates students in grades 6-12 on recognizing warning signs of depression and suicide in themselves and others. This evidence-based initiative encourages open discussions about mental health and promotes seeking help from trusted adults.

• The Center for Child and Family Advocacy – Erin’s Law: This prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program for students in grades K-12 educates students and school personnel on recognizing abuse and implementing prevention strategies.

• Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio – Too Good for Drugs: A prevention program for students in grades K-4 that teaches personal and interpersonal skills to resist peer pressure, goal setting, decision making, bonding with others, having respect for self and others, managing emotions, effective communication, social interactions and understand the consequences of substance use.

                                          Additional partnerships supporting mental health include:

• ADAMHS Board

• Ohio Rise

• Family and Children First Council

Academic Courses Supporting Mental Health:

• Health (Grades 6 & 9): Includes units on mental and emotional health, goal setting, decision-making, and advocating for health education. The course focuses on practical knowledge and strategies for managing stress, building relationships, and understanding emotional well-being.

• Personal Wellness (High School Semester Course): Examines emotional, social, intellectual, and mental health topics alongside other dimensions of wellness. Students develop communication skills, manage stress, and explore healthy relationships and mental health awareness.

• Adulting 101 & 102 (Senior Semester Courses): Includes topics on mental health, communication, leadership, interpersonal skills, and wellness—preparing students for independent living and active community involvement.

At Holgate Local Schools, we recognize that students’ physical health is essential to their academic success. Through key partnerships and dedicated staff, we ensure comprehensive health and wellness support for all students. Our full-time school nurse, in collaboration with Henry County Hospital, provides essential health services, including:

• Monitoring immunization requirements

• Implementing chronic health plans

• Providing daily student care and medication administration

• Conducting vision and hearing screenings (grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11)

• Teaching CPR to ninth-grade students

• Leading puberty education and hygiene instruction for fourth graders

• Overseeing Holgate’s Staff Wellness Program, which offers activities promoting healthy lifestyles

Athletic Health: Through a partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an on-site athletic trainer offers after-school care for student-athletes. Free physicals are also available each spring for grades 7–12.

Nutrition & Activity: Our elementary principal leads the Student Wellness Program, promoting healthy eating and physical activity. A district Wellness Committee guides these efforts, including school staff and community representatives.

Community partnerships enhancing student physical health include:

• Napoleon Family Vision – Realeyes: An interactive vision health program for Kindergarten and fourth-grade students. The program covers topics such as eye anatomy, eye safety, common eye disorders and the importance of eye care in overall health.

• Dental Excellence: Oral hygiene education for first and fourth-grade students.

• Henry County Health Department – MyPlate: Nutrition program for students in third grade. This curriculum introduces the importance of eating from all five food groups and engaging in physical activity. The Health Department also provides vaccinations for students in Kindergarten, seventh grade, and twelfth grade and offers hand washing instruction for kindergarteners.

• United Way of Henry County – Wonder Chef: Nutrition program for students in Kindergarten. This curriculum introduces the importance of eating from all five food groups and engaging in physical activity.

• Maumee Valley Guidance Center – Incredible Years: Prevention program for students in Kindergarten and first grade that teaches social, emotional, and behavioral skills.

• Henry County Hospital: Teaches poison prevention to Kindergarteners.

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Project ADAM: Assists schools in establishing cardiac emergency response plans and provides training for cardiac emergencies.

• Health (Grades 6 & 9): Includes physical health units such as nutrition, physical activity, first aid, personal hygiene, injury prevention, and substance use prevention.

• Nutrition and Wellness (High School Year-Long Course): Focuses on healthy eating, food preparation, dietary guidelines, and making informed nutritional choices. Includes units on food safety, cooking skills, and wellness across the lifespan.

• Personal Wellness (High School Semester Course): Includes physical health topics such as exercise benefits, sleep hygiene, nutrition, and personal safety. Practical life skills like laundry, basic sewing, and time management are also addressed.

• Adulting 101 & 102 (Senior Semester Courses): Physical health-related topics include personal safety, fire safety, nutrition and wellness, meal preparation, home care, and basic automobile maintenance.

Student Wellness Policy

• Wellness Policy

Health Forms

• Ohio Immunization Summary for School Attendance

• General Medication Administration Record

• Authorization for Student Possession and Use of an Epinephrine Autoinjector

• Authorization for Student Possession and use of an Asthma Inhaler

• Head Lice Information

• Diabetes Parent Info

• Seizure Medication Administration Record

Holgate Local Schools is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment through PBIS. This framework promotes social-emotional learning and positive behavior while reducing disciplinary issues.

Key components of our PBIS program include:

• Clear Behavior Expectations: Students are taught school-wide behavioral expectations and recognized for demonstrating positive behaviors.

• Incentive Programs: Reward systems, such as student recognition and celebrations, encourage positive behavior and engagement.

• Intervention Support: Targeted interventions help students requiring additional behavioral support. Staff members collaborate with families to promote student success.

By implementing PBIS, Holgate Local Schools fosters a respectful learning environment where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

PBIS Fact Sheet

PBIS Parent Handout

2024-2025: Holgate Elementary PTO sponsored Music with a Message, an engaging assembly for elementary students. Through music, this program delivered positive messages and reinforced essential skills such as self-confidence, bullying prevention, and a growth mindset.

2023-2024: Holgate partnered with the Henry County Health Department to bring Remedy Live: Get Schooled to students in grades 6-12. This high-energy, interactive program educated students on the dangers of self-medicating through phones, gaming, eating, vaping, drinking, substance use, and other risky behaviors. Additionally, we hosted a parent and community program in the evening to extend the conversation beyond the school day.