Supporting Kids in Our Community: Viking Pride Community Wide and Kids Lunch Club

West Side Early Childhood, John Cline, and Carrie Lee (Preschool through 4 th grade) are PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) Schools that work hard to teach, model, and promote the social emotional skills that students need to be successful and school and throughout life. A main focus on their PBIS program is Viking Pride – the idea that no matter where we are or what we are doing we are respectful, responsible, and safe. The Decorah Community School District is working on expanding Viking Pride beyond the walls of the school district and out into the community. This presentation will focus on three main ways that businesses and community members can support our students (and therefore teachers, families, and community) in learning positive social emotional skills and “rocking their Viking Pride” throughout our community. Note: Shanna will present updates on the program, so if you attended the noon presentation there will be something new for you!

Shanna will also be presenting on Kids Lunch Club.  She is excited to share that Kids Lunch Club is returing this summer after taking time off due to COVID! Throughout the school year students have access to lunch at school, but during summer break many kids and families struggle with food insecurity.  Kids Lunch Club serves lunches (and often breakfast too) to ensure children and youth in our community have nutritious meal opportunities throughout the summer.  Prior to COVID, over 4,000 lunches were served thanks to community support. KLC will expand this summer by not only offering meals but partnering with local organizations to support family engagement throughout the summer through literacy activities and "Pop-Up" Family events. Kids lunch club is looking for community members and organizations to help by signing up for single volunteer shifts, preparing and/or distributing lunches, joining the stearing committee, signing up for a longterm commitment, and/or making a financial contribution.     

Shanna Putnam Dibble is the Elementary Learner Advocate for the Decorah Community School District, the Kids Lunch Club Coordinator, and teaches classes across Iowa for teachers, childcare providers and parents. Shanna is active in the community, serving as the President of the FEC (Family, Educator, and Community Organization), a member of the Decorah Public Library Board of Trustees and the Freeport Park Committee, and volunteers with many local organizations. Shanna lives in Decorah with her husband Andrew and their two children.