The Student Assistance Program (SAP) at Canton Junior-Senior High School aids students who are experiencing difficulty in their academic pursuits. These difficulties may arise from social (peers), emotional (stress), and/or physical (drugs and alcohol) problems. This team is comprised of school personnel who respond to referrals about students who are referred by faculty, administration, parents, other students, or themselves. All information about the referral is confidential. Students are typically referred because they have exhibited noticeable changes in their academics, attendance, and/or behaviors.
Parents and community members are able to refer a student to SAP. If the need arises, you can get a referral form from the schools website (www.canton.k12.pa.us) under the high schools Programs & Services. All you have to do is print it out, fill it out, and mail it or drop it off to Jessica Watson at the high school.
After the SAP team gets a referral, they investigate the issue further by gathering information from other faculty members. These faculty members complete a checklist for that students observable behaviors, which consist of the following: sleepiness, drop in grades, change in appearance, change in social group, lack of interest, etc. After this information is compiled, the team must get parental and student permission so that the student can get the best possible help for his/her problem. The parent also has input by filling out a survey about his/her child, and this helps the team with issues related to the home environment. The SAP program is used as an intervention, not as a treatment or a cure. A referral to the team does not mean that a student is in trouble, but it does mean that he/she is going to get the best assistance possible so that he/she can be successful in his/her academic life. SAPs goal is to see that each student achieves his/her best success in his/her school endeavors.
This year the professionals who have been specially trained to be members of the SAP Team are the following: Ms. Rebekah Hamblin (Juvenile Probation Officer), Mrs. Kayleigh Smith (Mental Health Consultant), Ms. Lori Radney (Drug and Alcohol/Children and Youth Services Consultant), Mr. Dave Loomis (School Psychologist), Mrs. Kathy Coleman (Health Teacher), Mr. Richard Harstead (Math Teacher), Mrs. Debbra Keppler (School Nurse), and Mrs. Jessica Watson (Chairperson and Guidance Counselor).
Additional community members are needed to participate in the SAP Advisory Council. This Council will meet approximately four times this year about various issues and data. If you would like to be a member of the Council or if you have any questions or concerns about the SAP Team, please contact the Guidance Office at 673-3000. Also, you can access additional SAP information via the schools website under the high school's Programs & Services.
