Student Assistance Services

Kutztown Area School District Student Assistance Team

Student Assistance Program

What is SAP?

     SAP is the Student Assistance Program.  All students in today’s educational system have different needs.  The overall goal of the educational system is the same for each student – to become successful in life through a positive educational experience.  There are a number of contributing factors that may prevent students from experiencing success in school.  In order to help a student become more successful in school, we need to have a systematic approach for:

• Identifying those students that need more individualized attention.
• Determining what problems a student may be experiencing.
• Determining what to do to help the student be more successful.
• Implementing a process to accomplish the help needed.

      Teens are under a tremendous amount of pressure.  Academic pressure, social pressure, drugs, alcohol, sexuality, harassment, etc.  When a student is hurting or failing, and its more than normal, its time to make a referral.  Referrals can be made by anyone.  If you have a feeling that a child is in trouble make a referral to the Student Assistance Team.

     After the student is referred the team will review and discuss the situation and recommend the best person or people to assist the student. 

Examples of Referrals:

     There is no one thing that would warrant a referral.  Anything no matter how small or large should be considered a valid reason to refer.

• Frequent Absences
• Academic problems.
• Health related concerns – diet, drugs, alcohol, etc.
• Trouble with relationships.

When should I contact the Student Assistance Program?

• Has there been an overall drop in grades over a period of time?
• Does motivation appear to be different than in the past?
• Have overall study habits changed?
• Have there been increased absences?
• Is the student complaining more about problems in school?
• Has there been a change in the student’s friends?
• Has the student’s overall hygiene changed?
• Has the student seemed to develop a disinterest in school?
• Have they become pre-occupied with people, drugs, or risky behavior?
• Have they lost interest in activities that once were very important to them?

Student Assistance Teams do not:

• Treat students.
• Rehabilitate students.
• Prescribe treatment.
• Diagnose.
• Serve as therapists.
• Set school policy.
• Replace normal disciplinary procedures.
• Prepare and implement treatment plans.

All information concerning students who are referred to the program will remain CONFIDENTIAL.

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