The REACH Philosophy
Believing in the ability of every student to overcome academic and personal obstacles to achieve success. To treat each student with dignity and respect, while being sensitive to individual needs.
What is the REACH Program?
The REACH Program is a voluntary, in school program designed to assist our students who may need support academically, socially, and /or emotionally.
The Goal: Help students experience success by learning new life skills to overcome barriers and/or challenges present in their lives.
Class groups (Teams) ideally consist of 10 to 15 students, with direct instruction from two instructors (Team Leaders), working closely with the team of Administration, Social Worker, Guidance Counselors, and students Families.
The REACH Program not only supports these students academically, but helps the students to build skills necessary to become successful adults after graduation.
What does REACH stand for?
- Relationships – A safe place for students to belong, connect and be supported.
- Education – Create positive learning opportunities through academic support and individual assignment modification.
- Accountability – A support network with staff committed to help students succeed that nurtures student accountability with parent support.
- Character – Skill building activities that encourage positive academic and personal growth.
- Hard Work – Students that rise to the level of expectations.
The REACH Daily Schedule
The REACH Program follows a regimented schedule each week. The items on the schedule are listed below.
Weekly Check-in/Goals Group
During weekly check-in, students share about how they are doing in the arena of their social and family lives in a small-group setting. Goals group allows students to reflect upon the Academic, Individual, and Family goals they have identified in REACH, and the progress they have made each week toward obtaining them. Group members have the opportunity to offer feedback and support in assessing each member’s level of commitment to making progress.
Character Building Exercises
Wednesday in REACH is skill-building day. REACH students work as a group to build problem-solving and life skills through a variety of experiential exercises. These fun activities help the teams build close, supportive relationships as they develop skills they can carry with them into adult life. Some of these skills have included physical fitness, team problem solving, planning for the future, and community outreach, giving back.
Academic Days
On Tuesday and Thursdays, REACH students are provided with an opportunity to focus on their core required classes and receive one-on-one tutoring from the REACH staff when needed. The REACH staff work closely with the high school instructors to collaborate on each students academic progress. Students are reminded often of their responsibility to complete the course work required in order to reach their goal of graduating
The REACH Objective
To Pay Forward what has been given to us.
When a person experiences that brief shining moment where they go beyond what is expected of them and do something for another person for no reason other than generosity, then that is the best emotion a person can feel. One unique thing about these deeds is that they are unconditional. This means that regardless of what someone might have done to you or might not have done for you, the kind act will still exist.
Meet REACH Staff
Chad R. Harlander
REACH Director
More About Chad
Mr. Harlander has spent a total of 30 years working with today’s youth and their families. He began his commitment to young people while in high school as a peer helper. As a college student- athlete, he volunteered his time as a motivational speaker, something that he continues to enjoy doing today. After finishing college, he began his professional career in the area of children’s mental health, through residential treatment and home based services as a Family Counselor. In 2007, working with the Hutchinson School District administration began his mission of creating a “Safe Place” for all students by helping them find their “Sense of Belonging” as the director of the REACH Program.
During his “free time” Mr. Harlander coaches football and provides outreach through Chad Greenway’s “Day to REACH” and Dallas Champions Academy camps. Chad has devoted his life to working with today’s youth and their families as well as giving back.
Katelyn Fritsch
Chemical Dependency Counselor
More About Katelyn
Katelyn has worked in the social services field for nearly 10 years. She has a Master’s degree in social work and holds a school social work license in addition to her LGSW license from the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Katelyn enjoys learning and has additional training in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), trauma informed care, and chemical dependency. She has a history in various settings including residential treatment, child welfare, and parental voluntary programming and case management. During her unstructured time, Katelyn enjoys being outdoors, camping, running, traveling and attending her children’s sporting events.
Rhoda Hubbard
REACH Teacher
More About Rhoda
Rhoda has spent 25 years working with adolescents in residential treatment, as an innovative middle school Geography and Special Education teacher. Working with public and private community agencies, Rhoda also served as the HHS Family Liaison and Displaced Families advocate. This is Rhoda’s 7th year as part of the REACH team where she is passionate about creating a safe, supportive and stimulating classroom where personal growth is an expectation; where students know they are cared about and they are held accountable for their personal behavior and academic habits. Rhoda holds an MA in Education and has completed coursework toward a Masters in Counseling and Alcohol and Drug Counseling. Professional competencies include ACES, Differentiated Instruction, SEL, Multiple Intelligences, Children Mindfulness and Yoga. Personal endeavors include a love of community theatre, live music, writing, travel, humor, all things family and the sandy shores of Lake Michigan!
Angela Young
REACH Educational Support
More About Angela
Angela has worked in educational settings for over 30 years. First as a Speech/Language Clinician for public and private schools before taking some time off to raise her three children. She then returned to school as an ALC/Sped Ed/REACH para. She is pleased she is able to continue her career in the educational field helping REACH create a Safe Place for students.
Our Success
The REACH Program that started in Hutchinson in 2007 now has grown Nationwide with 62 schools across the US that have consulted and/or implemented REACH into their districts.
- 2007-2008: REACH Program is implemented
- Currently today: 62 schools have inquired and/or implemented REACH as a means of support and intervention emotionally, socially, and academically. (States: MN, SD, Wisconsin, California, Georgia, New York, Texas)
- REACH events: Spooky Sprint, Chad Greenway’s Day to REACH, Holiday Outreach Celebration, REACH Conference
- Community Service projects: HOPE Drive, Toy Drive, Parks & Recreation, moving residents, Feed my starving children
- REACH Gives scholarships awarded: 45 (The REACH Gives scholarships began initially at $500.00, with the community support, REACH Gives scholarships are now $2500.00 each year up to 4 years)
We All Have a Story!
REACH works because it is their “Safe Place” to address the challenges, grow and develop a Sense of Belonging! Below is a letter from a REACH Give’s recipient on how REACH helped her persevere.
Course Passage Rates
The success of REACH began with an out of the box approach from ISD 423 Administration to connect with a population of young people searching for a “sense of belonging.” A “Safe Place” was created for ALL students who wanted / needed to be seen, heard and cared for unconditionally. On a personal level, this school district wrapped its arms around a young man who came to school to be safe. As a 51-year-old man, that child, that student inside is driven to give back and more. TOGETHER, an impact has been made, but WE have more work to do.
Prior to REACH, students passed 25.5% of their classes
2007-08 School Year:
- 1st TRI: REACH Students passed 62% of their classes
- 2nd Tri: REACH Students passed 78% of their classes
- 3rd Tri: REACH Students passed 82% of their classes
2015-16 School Year:
- 1st Tri: REACH Students passed 91.3% of their classes
- 2ndt Tri: REACH Students passed 91.6% of their classes
- 3rd Tri: REACH Students passed 93.5% of their classes
2019-20 School Year:
- 1st Tri: REACH students passed 91.5% of their classes.
- 3rd Tri COVID / Distant Learning: REACH Students passed 85.4% of their classes.
2021-2022 REACH is implemented at the Middle School:
- 1st Tri: MS REACH students passed 93.6% of their classes
- 2nd Tri: MS REACH students passed 94.6% of their classes
- 3rd Tri: MS REACH students passed 96.2% of their classes (6th graders-100%)
