Summary: Help Northside Elementary School address the needs of children by supporting a pilot program to develop a Trauma-Informed School.

Goal: $4,000   •   Amount Raised: $520 (through online fundraising)   •   School: Northside Elementary School   •   Sponsor Name: Principal Laura Huber

About My Project: Northside Elementary School is committed to meeting the social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of all school children and is seeking community support for a pilot project to create a trauma-informed school. Staff will be trained in techniques to help children who are experiencing adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or mental illness, or are living in a home where violence or substance abuse are present.

The goal is to create a safe and respectful environment that enables students to build caring relationships with adults and peers, manage their emotions and behaviors, and succeed academically, while supporting their physical health and well-being. Many students at Northside Elementary have experienced significant trauma in their pasts, or are currently experiencing this trauma. Compared to most areas of our community, referrals to child protective services, and rates of police contact, are significantly higher within the geographic boundaries of Northside Elementary.

In order to create a trauma-informed school, Northside will contract with UW-L Professor Betty DeBoer, a recognized expert in the field. She will work collaboratively with school staff during an intensive two-year period. She will review and make recommendations on policies to create an even more welcoming community for students and staff. She will help the school partner with community stakeholders to improve the conditions for students, and provide direct training to staff on trauma-informed practices, and also self-care practices to increase staff well-being and retention.

The La Crosse Public Education Foundation has awarded a $4,000 grant in support of this project, and District funds are being redirected from other priorities. But added money is still needed to ensure this project goes forward.

Where Your Donation Goes:
Donations will go toward the total project cost of $21,000 per year.

All donations to LPEF are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged via letter. LPEF adds a small surcharge to offset credit card processing fees and related expenses. For more details, go to our About Support-a-School page.

• If fundraising falls short of the goal, money will be used to fulfill as much of the project as feasible.
• If fundraising exceeds the goal, the project will be expanded or money will go to a similar purpose at the same school.