Student Support Services

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SAP)

Many students experience challenges that interfere not only with their academic and extra- curricular performance, but with their emotional, physical, and social development as well.

School staff, students, parents, and others recognize patterns of behavior commonly related to personal problems. These behaviors affect school performance. Early intervention with a student exhibiting problem behavior may alleviate greater problems in the future.

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is designed to assist Upper St. Clair High School staff to better respond to the students’ struggles. Student problems can hamper the healthy development of the entire school. Consistent, systematic, and professional response to the problems of young people is necessary, and can be provided by staff. SAP is an effort to help students resolve their problems and thus open the way for personally and socially satisfying lives. The team is made up of school counselors, administrators, teachers, the school nurse, school psychologists, and outside liaison.

Referrals

Any concerned person is encouraged to refer the name of a student exhibiting behaviors of concern to the SAP team. Referral forms are available in the principals’ offices and in the counseling office. Referring persons are asked to report only observable behaviors of concern to the SAP team.

For more information…

Watch a brief video about our Student Support Services

PEER HELPING PROGRAMS

NATURAL HELPERS

Natural Helpers is a peer-helping program for the middle and high school communities. The program is based on a simple premise: students with problems naturally seek out other students, and adults, whom they trust.

Natural Helpers are a cross section of students identified and selected through an anonymous selection process. This process assures that those selected are already seen by their peers as trustworthy and helpful people. Each year thirty-two students are invited to participate in a two- day training program. They receive at least thirty hours of training at a three-day retreat.

The Natural Helpers meet monthly to receive ongoing training to provide them with additional information and skills and opportunities for service.

Watch a brief video about Natural Helpers

ATHLETES TAKING ACTION

Athletes Taking Action is a peer-mentoring program designed to pair incoming ninth grade student-athletes with a mentor in their sport. The purpose is to assist in the transition into the High School by providing each student-athlete with a mentor to answer questions regarding academics, athletics, and social interactions.

Athletes Taking Action is also designed to help our student-athletes make good academic, athletic, and social choices.

Watch a brief video about Athletes Taking Action

JUNIOR MENTORING PROGRAM

The Upper St. Clair High School Mentoring Program was established during the 2008-2009 school year. The program’s purpose is to provide support for incoming freshmen students and ease their transition to the high school.

Approximately 60 juniors are selected to serve as mentors and are assigned to ninth grade homerooms. These student mentors are trained in leadership skills, teamwork skills, helping skills, and listening skills. Members of the Upper St. Clair High School Staff facilitate the majority of this mentor training, which also incorporates the Outdoor Odyssey Program in Boswell, PA. These junior mentors attend weekly visits with their freshman mentees, providing valuable information to help these students navigate their first year of high school.

In addition to the weekly homeroom visits, the Mentoring Program also sponsors a Mentor/Freshman Team Building event in the fall and other group-oriented activities during the year. Ultimately, every student who comes to the high school as a ninth grade student is impacted by the mentoring program. Not only do the ninth grade students experience positive benefits, but also, our junior mentors learn very important life lessons about leadership, dependability, and being a positive role model for others.

Watch a brief video about the Junior Mentoring Program

GUIDED & STRUCTURED INDEPENDENT STUDY

Guided Independent Study: The resource center, located next to the library, provides tutoring and academic assistance for students in the areas of English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and World Language during all blocks of the day. Although students are encouraged to use the resource center when necessary during free blocks, parents/guardians may choose to have their student scheduled into the resource center on a regular basis. Students formally scheduled into a Guided Independent Study are expected to attend as if it were a class, however, no credit will be granted.

Structured Independent Study: During all blocks of the day, a dedicated classroom is available for a silent study hall. Although academic assistance is not provided, any student is welcome to use this space during all blocks of the day. Additionally, parents or guardians may opt to have their student regularly scheduled for a Structured Independent Study. Students formally scheduled into a Structured Independent Study are expected to attend as if it were a class, however, no credit will be granted.

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