(Editor’s note: The following is the first installment of a two-part series designed to shed light on programming in Bellwood-Antis School District that assists students who are experiencing problems outside the classroom. Part One explains the Support for Teens at Risk program. In tomorrow’s edition of The Daily Herald, readers can learn about support groups and other programs.)
The students of the Bellwood-Antis School District, just like students all across the country, face more issues than the pressures of math tests and essay assignments.
Inside the educational walls, there is bullying, lovers’ quarrels and absenteeism. Outside, child abuse, drug and alcohol usage and sub-par parent-child relationships run rampant.
Educators of the district are hoping to curtail some of this negative activity and maybe help these troubled students back on the right path with a set of programming designed to get to the specific root of problems and assist students in working through them.
STAR
STAR is an acronym for Support for Teens At Risk.
This program was designed to identify and address students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade who are having problems inside and outside of the classroom. This, according to B-A High School guidance counselor Sue Estep, includes everything from bullying to parent-child issues to the death of a family pet.
“We initiated this program back in 1988 and we feel the reason it is so successful is because of the people who dedicate their time in working it,” she said. “Nearly the same people who started the program are still on board and working hard to make sure these kids are steered in the right direction.”
According to Estep, the “team” is made of nine staff members who are teachers or administrators, and two community liaisons from the Altoona Hospital; a drug/alcohol counselor and a mental health representative. Superintendent of the district, Rodney Kuhns, is also involved in team activities.
“Administrative report has been superior and it’s the foundation of our team’s success,” said Estep.
“We’ve all been working together in this for awhile,” she said. “We have a good camaraderie among us and we hope this positive attitude carries over to the students we are hopefully helping.”
The program is initiated with a referral. Estep said anyone who recognizes a concern for a student who may be at risk can make the referral. Once team members identify a possible problem with a student, a checklist is sent to each of the targeted student’s teachers. The teacher, in turn, would use the checklist as a guide to look for signs the student is actually at risk.
Once it is determined there may be a problem, the team contacts the student’s parents to ask permission to talk with their child.
“We then meet with each student individually and confidentially,” said Estep. “We open the door by telling them someone is concerned about them and that we’re here willing to do anything that could help. We try to get into a mentoring role with the students so they feel comfortable to talk with us.
“A good number of these kids have problems that they just wouldn’t be able to tackle on their own,” she continued. “If they can open up to us, maybe we could give them that little bit of help they need.”
Students who participate in the program or who are “referred,” come from all types of backgrounds. Estep said students who make the honor roll each and every marking period have problems, as does the student whose parents come home each night under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“A lot of these kids aren’t the ones the community looks at as problem kids,” said Estep. “Everyone has problems and we want to help whoever we can.”
Estep said the STAR program receives about 65 referrals each year, and once the student becomes involved in the program, he or she will continue to be involved through the end of the academic year.
“The biggest problems we’re seeing in the students are depression and teen/parent conflict,” said Estep. “In most cases, these referrals are for the kids who feel their parents just aren’t there for them. The biggest downfall for these kids and their families is their need to learn to get along with each other.
“That’s where our team comes in and offers these students and families advice on how to work through situations and come up with a peaceful resolve,” she said. “From here, we can make the recommendations that best fits the student’s need, whether that be outside counseling, tutoring or whatever else is needed.”
For their cohesion as a group and their passion for their work, the STAR team at Bellwood-Antis is being nominated as an exemplary team at the upcoming Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program State Conference.
“This program has really worked out pretty well over the years,” said Estep. “I believe there’s been a lot of successes, but because of the confidentiality of the program, the community may not be able to see how successful it really is.”
For more information about the program, contact the high school guidance office at 742-2275.
