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< Back PK-8 Principals Facilitated By: Dr. Diane Wolf & Dr. Tracey Garfield Meeting Dates: 4th Wednesday of every month (Virtual), 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM The West40 Principals Network is a place where building leaders from the area can link together to explore topics and areas relevant to responsibilities as a principal as well as share resources on leadership. Network with other West40 district principals and stay current on the ISBE news and information. If you would like to be added to the listserv and receive more information, please fill out this form . Previous Next

8:30 - 11:30 AM < Back Supporting Students in Need of Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Support: Developing a Behavioral Health Team (BHT) in Your School. 1/15 (cancelled) and 2/6/25 8:30 - 11:30 AM This course introduces building systems of care in schools using MTSS and trauma-responsive frameworks. Participants will learn to connect students with suitable interventions and collaborate with a Behavioral Health Team, including administrators, clinicians, and community partners. At least two team members must attend the sessions together. Choose one session for your team to attend. Register Here Previous Next

School Safety and Threat Assessment We strive to enhance the overall safety of every school and proactively protect students and staff from threats and acts of violence in an effort to foster the best learning environment possible. WHAT WE DO The purpose of West40’s School Safety and Threat Assessment team (STAT) is to enhance the overall safety and security of every school. We strive to help proactively protect students and staff from threats and acts of violence to foster the best learning environment possible. We can provide coaching and training tailored to your needs in areas of safety and threat assessment, including but not limited to: Independent Physical Security Assessments Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Development and Flip Charts Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Assembling an Effective Threat Assessment Team Threat Assessment Plan Assistance Behavioral Warning Signs of Violence Suicide and Violence Prevention through Social Media Awareness Training on Security Awareness, Emergency Preparedness, Crisis Response, and Security Operations Incident Command System (ICS) Training/Certification Assistance with Reunification Planning and Process Tabletop and Full-scale Exercises Where Participants Test Functional Roles They are Expected to Play in Real-time Events Security Related Procedural Needs Evaluation of Staffing Requirements Needed to Address Security Physical Security Architectural Planning Considerations SRO and Law Enforcement Partnership Support WE ARE READY TO HELP. When we say the success of kids is in all of our hands, that includes ensuring a safe environment that they feel confident coming back to every day. Reach out and connect to learn more! BY THE NUMBERS 2024-2025 186 66 Hours of STAT Training STAT + TVTP (Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant) Contracts 610 160 Attendees of Illinois School Safety Conference Participants of "I Love U Guys" Reunification Training HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. SCHOOL SAFETY & THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM STEVE BOGREN Chief Comprehensive Educational Services Officer sbogren@west40.org PHILIP ABRAHAM Director of Comprehensive Educational Services pabraham@west40.org WIL GAGE Director of School Safety & Threat Assessment wgage@west40.org RANDY BRAVERMAN School Safety & Threat Assessment Specialist rbraverman@west40.org ALEX CAMPOS CES/STAT Specialist acampos@west40.org ERIC ARNOLD School Safety & Threat Assessment Specialist earnold@west40.org

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11 - 11:30 AM < Back Is Your School or District Ready for a Behavioral Health Team (BHT)? 9/13/24 CLOSED 11 - 11:30 AM Behavior Health Teams (BHT) are an important component of a district's MTSS process.Come to this readiness session to see if you know the components you will need to implement a successful team. Register Here Previous Next

8:30 - 11:30 AM & 12:30 - 3:30 PM < Back Supporting Students in Need of Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Support: Developing a Behavioral Health Team (BHT) in Your School. 4/10 and 4/29/25 8:30 - 11:30 AM & 12:30 - 3:30 PM This course introduces building systems of care in schools using MTSS and trauma-responsive frameworks. Participants will learn to connect students with suitable interventions and collaborate with a Behavioral Health Team, including administrators, clinicians, and community partners. At least two team members must attend the sessions together. Choose one session for your team to attend. Register Here Previous Next

Delivery & Community Specialist < Back TYRONE SALLEY Delivery & Community Specialist tsally@west40.org Previous Next

Chief School Business Official < Back CHRISTI TYLER Chief School Business Official Previous Next

Professional Learning Specialist VANESSA WILLIAMS-JOHNSON VANESSA WILLIAMS-JOHNSON < Back VANESSA WILLIAMS-JOHNSON More about Vanessa Professional Learning Specialist Vanessa Williams Johnson is a veteran educational leader with 34 years of service in Chicago Public Schools. Her leadership experience spans over two decades, including roles as Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and Principal. During her tenure as a principal, she led the development of instructional systems, strengthened school culture, and built leadership capacity across her teams. She has mentored resident principals and coached first-year principals, supporting their transition into effective school leadership through practical, experience-based guidance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Clark Atlanta University and a Master of Arts from Saint Xavier University. In her current work, she partners with leadership teams at multiple levels to strengthen coherence across systems. She supports leaders in identifying their school’s problem of practice, aligning priorities to instructional moves, and ensuring that plans translate into consistent classroom implementation. Her work centers on building clarity, alignment, and sustained follow-through so that improvement efforts are not only initiated, but maintained over time. She enjoys traveling, especially family trips, and maintains a special connection to her hometown of New Orleans. vwilliamsjohnson@west40.org Previous Next

10 - 10:30 AM < Back Is Your School or District Ready for Behavioral Health Team (BHT)? 3/4/25 10 - 10:30 AM Behavior Health Teams (BHT) are an important component of a district's MTSS process.Come to this readiness session to see if you know the components you will need to implement a successful team. Register Here Previous Next

Professional Learning Specialist ANNA MAE GRAMS-PULLAPALLY ANNA MAE GRAMS-PULLAPALLY < Back ANNA MAE GRAMS-PULLAPALLY More about Anna Mae Professional Learning Specialist Anna Mae Grams-Pullappally is a Professional Learning Specialist at West40, where she partners with schools and districts on continuous improvement and trains leaders to effectively implement teacher evaluation systems. She specializes in coaching, mentoring, and equipping leaders to design professional learning that is engaging, outcomes-driven, and reflective. With more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, school leader, and leadership specialist, Anna Mae brings deep expertise in facilitation, adult learning, and the Danielson Framework for Teaching. Her commitment to education is underscored by a strong belief in the power of collaboration to foster environments where leaders, teachers, and students can thrive together, driving continuous improvement across schools. agramspullapally@west40.org Previous Next

9:00 - 1:00 < Back Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Schools (CBITS) 9/11, 9/12, & 9/13/2024 CLOSED 9:00 - 1:00 CBITS is a 10-week, evidence-based program for students in grades 4-12 that helps them process trauma and develop coping skills. The program includes 1-3 individual sessions and covers trauma reactions, relaxation techniques, social problem-solving, challenging negative thoughts, and processing trauma and grief. Register Here Previous Next