On November 9 and 10, 2009, a Masonic Student Assistance Program team training was held in Rushville at Deb and Di's Restaurant. The program ran from 8:00 to 4:00 both days. Four schools participated in the training, Rushville-Industry High School, Schulyer-Industry MIddle School, Industry Elementary School, and Webster and Washington Elementary School.
The MSAP training is an intensive two-day program for educators which assists them with learning to identify, intervene with and create appropriate referrals for students who may be at risk for substance abuse, depression, suicide or violence. Topics addressed are health, behavior, attendance and academics. Students who are experiencing difficulties in any of these areas are less likely to achieve at their highest potential. Participants leave the training with a specific plan for interventions and a system for implementing the program in their schools. The Masonic Student Assistance Program is offered to schools at no cost to them and is supported by our Grand Lodge through donations from the member and the Illinois Master Mason license plate program.
Although the events are always successful and receive excellent evaluations by the participants, this one was exceptional as all the schools were represented with full teams which included their respective principals.
Here are some of the comments we received from those who participated in the training sessions, “Loved the hands on experience” “Presenters were thorough and open to questions” “With experienced trainers we left with a lot of useful information” “Thanks for all that you do for this program” “Better than any other workshop I have attended” “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” “The presenters were wonderful, their sense of humor and personal experience helped make my training more meaningful and fun!”
The Trainers were Larry Newman and Dr. John Bearoff from the National Masonic Foundation for Children.
A special thanks to Dan Phillips, Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master, for his undaunted help. He was very instrumental in getting this event to take place. With help from men like Dan it is our hope that we can provide this help to many more schools and students in Illinois.
