Student Assistance Program
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Student Assistance Program, or SAP, helps students who are experiencing behavioral and/or academic difficulties which pose a barrier to their learning and success in school. SAP offers support to those students and their families.
In Pennsylvania, every middle school and high school has a Student Assistance Program. The SAP team at Riverside consists of administrators, teachers, counselors, and community support personnel. This team has received specialized training and is approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All information that is discussed with the SAP team is CONFIDENTIAL.
RMS STUDENT ASSISTANCE TEAM
(724)758-7512
Mrs. Alicia Dwyer, extension 3036
Mrs. Kylee Kaszer, extension 3018
Mrs. Stephanie Murdock, extension 3040
Mrs. Sarah Pielin, extension 1258
Mr. Vaughn Hudspath, extension 1126
Mr. Michael Dingfelder, extension 1158
Mr. Tony Cortez, extension 1276
Mrs. Chelsea Kordecki, extension 1272
The Student Assistance Program, or SAP, helps students who are experiencing behavioral and/or academic difficulties which pose a barrier to their learning and success in school. SAP offers support to those students and their families.
In Pennsylvania, every middle school and high school has a Student Assistance Program. The SAP team at Riverside consists of administrators, teachers, counselors, and community support personnel. This team has received specialized training and is approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All information that is discussed with the SAP team is CONFIDENTIAL.
RMS STUDENT ASSISTANCE TEAM
(724)758-7512
Mrs. Alicia Dwyer, extension 3036
Mrs. Kylee Kaszer, extension 3018
Mrs. Stephanie Murdock, extension 3040
Mrs. Sarah Pielin, extension 1258
Mr. Vaughn Hudspath, extension 1126
Mr. Michael Dingfelder, extension 1158
Mr. Tony Cortez, extension 1276
Mrs. Chelsea Kordecki, extension 1272
Mrs. Michelle Prisuta, extension 1265
Mr. Justin Bennett, extension 1275
DO YOU SEE YOUR CHILD SHOWING ANY OF THESE BEHAVIORS?
Withdrawing from family, friends, and/or school/changing friends; no longer spending time with old friends
Unexplained physical injuries
Talking about suicide/depression
Needing money without explanation
Sudden drop in grades
Experimenting with drugs or alcohol
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 about asking for help.
IS SAP A TREATMENT PROGRAM?
It is important to know that SAP is not a treatment program. The SAP team will help parents find services and assistance within the school and if needed, in the community. The SAP team does not diagnose, treat, or refer your child for treatment. Rather, the SAP team will provide you with information; you make the choices. Remember that parents are part of the SAP team. The goal of SAP is to help the student succeed in school.
HOW DOES A STUDENT BECOME INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM?
Students come to the SAP team in different ways. Anyone can refer a student to the Student Assistance Program. 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 a student. The students themselves can even go directly to any member of the SAP team and ask for help.
THE S.A.P. PROCESS
After a student is referred to the SAP team, the team will gather specific information about the student's performance in school from all school staff that has contact with the student. A SAP team member will also talk to the parents; whether in person or over the phone, about the parent's observations, the child's strengths, and the parent's concerns.
The Riverside SAP team will request that a parent sign a permission form for their child to become involved in the program. Participation in the SAP program is voluntary. Together, parents and the SAP team will develop a plan of action to help the child achieve success in school.
The SAP team will continue to work with and support the student. The team will stay in touch with the parents to discuss the students progress and success in school. Continued parent involvement is very important.
PARTNERSHIP FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
One of the most important tasks of the SAP team is to have a partnership with families, with the focus being on the student's success as their common goal. An ideal partnership would include mutual respect, appreciation of strengths, ideas, feelings, culture and open communication. The SAP team and the school will respect every student and family's privacy at all times.
Parents are a key part of the Student Assistance Program. Their participation and information is invaluable when working toward student success. Together, parents and Riverside staff can help break down barriers to learning so all students can succeed.
DO YOU SEE YOUR CHILD SHOWING ANY OF THESE BEHAVIORS?
Withdrawing from family, friends, and/or school/changing friends; no longer spending time with old friends
Unexplained physical injuries
Talking about suicide/depression
Needing money without explanation
Sudden drop in grades
Experimenting with drugs or alcohol
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 about asking for help.
IS SAP A TREATMENT PROGRAM?
It is important to know that SAP is not a treatment program. The SAP team will help parents find services and assistance within the school and if needed, in the community. The SAP team does not diagnose, treat, or refer your child for treatment. Rather, the SAP team will provide you with information; you make the choices. Remember that parents are part of the SAP team. The goal of SAP is to help the student succeed in school.
HOW DOES A STUDENT BECOME INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM?
Students come to the SAP team in different ways. Anyone can refer a student to the Student Assistance Program. 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 a student. The students themselves can even go directly to any member of the SAP team and ask for help.
THE S.A.P. PROCESS
After a student is referred to the SAP team, the team will gather specific information about the student's performance in school from all school staff that has contact with the student. A SAP team member will also talk to the parents; whether in person or over the phone, about the parent's observations, the child's strengths, and the parent's concerns.
The Riverside SAP team will request that a parent sign a permission form for their child to become involved in the program. Participation in the SAP program is voluntary. Together, parents and the SAP team will develop a plan of action to help the child achieve success in school.
The SAP team will continue to work with and support the student. The team will stay in touch with the parents to discuss the students progress and success in school. Continued parent involvement is very important.
PARTNERSHIP FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
One of the most important tasks of the SAP team is to have a partnership with families, with the focus being on the student's success as their common goal. An ideal partnership would include mutual respect, appreciation of strengths, ideas, feelings, culture and open communication. The SAP team and the school will respect every student and family's privacy at all times.
Parents are a key part of the Student Assistance Program. Their participation and information is invaluable when working toward student success. Together, parents and Riverside staff can help break down barriers to learning so all students can succeed.