School Counseling Services

Students, the SAP team is here to help you deal with problems that are stopping you from doing well in school or stressing you out. Maybe you read about the student assistance program in your student handbook, or you see signs posted around the school. You may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to ask for help, but knowing how and where to find assistance can help you take an important first step.

If your child is having trouble in or out of school, we can help you. There may be times when you just don't know how to help your child. That's okay; someone else may know how to help. Don't feel embarrassed or uncomfortable asking for help. When extra help is needed, knowing how and where to find it can be overwhelming.

Anyone can refer someone for help.

The SAP team will help a student find services and assistance within school and, if needed, in the community. The SAP team does not diagnose, treat or refer students for treatment. Rather, the team provides families with information, and you make the choices. Remember, you are part of the team. Our goal is to help every student succeed in school.

Students come to the SAP team in different ways. Some students are referred by teachers and other school personnel. Any school staff member, a student's friend or family member can let the SAP team know that they are worried about someone. The students themselves can go directly to the SAP team to ask for help. However, with the exception of some preliminary steps, the SAP team will not move forward until they receive written permission from the parents.

Students, if you are worried about talking to your parents/guardian about your problems or being involved in SAP, someone on the SAP team can help you talk to your parents/guardian. There are many people in the school who care about you and want to help.

There are several steps that the team will take:

1. The SAP team will gather specific information about the student's performance in school from all school staff who have contact with the student. A SAP team member will also talk to the student's parents either in person or over the phone about their observations, the student's strengths and the parents' concerns. The team will also obtain written permission from the parents to proceed further in the process.
2. Together, the parents and the SAP team will develop a plan of action to help the student achieve success in school. The plan might include services and activities in school and/or services from a community agency. If necessary, the SAP team will talk with the family about services in the community and provide information on how to contact others who may be able to help.
3. The SAP team will continue to work with and support the student. They will stay in touch with the family to talk about the student's progress and success in school. The continued involvement of the family is very important.