Dear Ramsey and Saddle River Parents and Staff,
I hope the break was a good one and provided much-needed time with friends and family.
I’m sure I am not alone in wishing 2022 to be a “back to normal” year, but it looks like achieving that status will take a little more time. While we get to that point, neither the Ramsey school district nor its staff will standstill. One of our greatest challenges continues to be the mental health of our students, and I am so proud of what we have done and what we will be doing to address that.
The district will offer FREE mental health teletherapy for our students through June 2022.
- We have contracted with a private vendor.
- NO insurance companies will be involved.
- NO WAITING weeks or months to be connected to a therapist.
To provide this support, Ramsey will connect with a well-regarded, video conferencing service called Gaggle Therapy. It puts students in touch with licensed therapists, and its keys to success include quick appointments, experience with youth, and scheduling flexibility.
Watch this short video to hear from leaders of other school districts who lauded Gaggle for the way its services help students.
How It Works
A student who chooses to participate in Gaggle Therapy will be matched with a therapist for video calls using a computer or tablet from the comfort, privacy, and convenience of their home or school. Scheduling flexibility means weekly, 45-minute sessions can take place during school hours, at night, or on weekends.
Gaggle only partners with New Jersey-licensed therapists who have undergone background checks and who have experience providing mental health support to young people. Gaggle adheres to federal laws and guidelines to keep information private and secure.
What It Costs
Families pay no additional costs for the use of Gaggle’s teletherapy service. Ramsey School District is using the federal ESSER funds that are specifically earmarked for this kind of service. Although it is free for use, we ask that students attend sessions as scheduled, or cancel a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
The mental health and well-being of our students have always been a high priority, but this advancement really puts Ramsey at the vanguard of school-linked services. Gaggle will be an important component of our 3-Tiered support system that meets students where their needs are.
- Tier One: General information to help all students with awareness, self-support tools, and where to go for more help.
- Tier Two: Support from in-school resources, including counselors and teachers; some of these elements are also offered for parents.
- Tier Three: Referral to professionals outside the district, with continued support in school.
If a parent would like to initiate a Gaggle Therapy referral for their child, you may contact their school counselor, case manager, or Principal directly.
While we navigate 2022 together, we want parents and students to understand the resources that are available to address mental health challenges. This is part of our whole-student approach because we know we cannot optimally teach students if barriers are in the way. Thank you for learning more about this new tool.
Matthew J. Murphy, Ed.D
Superintendent of Ramsey School District
