JCD’s New Position Connects Families With The Community Through Outreach Events
Jac-Cen-Del Community School Corporation has a new position that is currently being funded by a grant and is hopeful to continue this position into the future. Jessilyn Tunny is currently Jac-Cen-Del’s Student and Family Specialist. She is a JCD Graduate and attended Indiana State University achieving a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a Minor in Military Science, followed by a master’s degree from Ball State University in Applied Behavior Analysis. This position is designed to not only aid students with emotional and behavioral needs during the school day, but to also support families with their emotional and behavioral needs in the home and community settings as well. Some of her duties include the development of individualized and group sensory programs, the collection of daily emotional check-in data, performing individualized counseling, providing classroom and teacher support, conducting social skills lunch groups, making connections with families, teaching bullying prevention classes for each grade level within the elementary, developing and holding Community Outreach events, and most recently, the development of a new Student Ambassador program.
The Community Outreach Events are new this year! To date, two events have already taken place for the 2024-2025 school year, and the final event will be held on April 23!
The first event was held at Upper Room Café in Osgood, titled “Keeping Up With JCD”. It was conducted primarily as a question-and-answer panel event. Many JCD school administrators spoke about various departments and their duties, and then the floor was opened for questions and inquiries about services, etc. Upper Room Café offered a discount on anything purchased that evening for those in attendance.
The second event was held at the Damm Theatre in Osgood. This event was all about Vaping Awareness. Jonathan Geary with Ripley County Court Services presented and covered a variety of aspects of vaping such as the prevalence, accessibility, warning signs for parents, ways to get help/protect our youth, etc.
The third and final Community Outreach Event for this school year will be held April 23, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in front of the Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School. This is a drive-thru event! The focus is “It’s Almost Summer”, and what our community has to offer in the summer months for youth and families. Families will pass through the circle drive in front of the JCD Elementary and be handed a baggie full of information, trinkets & prizes. Many local businesses and organizations have donated fliers, goodies, and some fun surprises regarding what is offered during the summer break. Some participants included are local libraries, Purdue Extension / 4-H, Genesis Pathways To Success, YMCA, Gibson Theater, Upper Room Café, etc. Participants have a chance to win one of several gift cards purchased by JCD from local businesses and placed in random baggies! JCD and their Student and Family Specialist are looking forward to connecting the students and families with new experiences and educational opportunities within Ripley County!
