Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to share that Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz and Marion Police Chief Richard B. Nighelli recently attended and delivered presentations at the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office Handle With Care Conference on Tuesday, November 12.
“Our school and the Marion Police Department adopted the ‘Handle With Care’ program to help traumatized children cope and excel in our classrooms,” said Assistant Superintendent Fedorowicz. “The event provided attendees with the skills they’ll need to reach our most vulnerable students.”
According to program organizers, a national survey of the prevalence of children’s exposure to violence and trauma revealed that 60% of American children have been exposed to some form of violence, crime, or abuse, and 40% were direct victims of two or more violent acts.
Prolonged exposure to violence and trauma can seriously undermine children’s ability to focus, behave appropriately, and learn. It often leads to school failure, truancy, suspension or expulsion, dropping out, or involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Through the Handle With Care model, when Marion police officers respond to an incident where a school-aged child may have been a victim or a witness, they notify school officials of the child’s name and advise the school to “handle with care.” No further information is given to school officials. Teachers and staff are notified so that they can monitor the affected child and prepare to offer additional support or referrals for additional services as needed.
“The police department continues to maintain a strong, positive relationship with the school district and the district attorney’s office,” Chief Nighelli said. “We are grateful that our community puts a high priority on the wellbeing of our students, and ‘Handle With Care’ is one of many examples of that commitment.”
Overall, the Handle With Care initiative aims to prevent children’s exposure to trauma and violence, mitigate the negative effects children experience as a result of exposure to trauma, and increase knowledge and awareness.
The conference held at Bridgewater State University featured a presentation by Chief Nighelli and Assistant Superintendent Fedorowicz, who provided an overview of the Handle With Care program.
“My office’s annual Handle With Care conference could not have been nearly as successful as it was without the attendance and support of our local partners,” Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said. “I am grateful to Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli and Old Rochester Regional School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shari Fedorowicz for their presentation and thoughts on the efficacy of our office’s longstanding Handle With Care program. We look forward to continued cooperation with their agencies as we work to protect children across our joint jurisdictions.”
Attendees were also provided with a glimpse inside the Plymouth County Comfort Dogs Program.
In June, Chief Nighelli and Superintendent Nelson welcomed a new comfort dog — Norman, a young Labrador Retriever — to the Marion Police Department and Sippican Elementary School.