Author: Renee Rutski

Community Resources of Interest

Bear CreEK COMMUNITY Charter school

Luzerne County Children and Youth:
570-826-8710
Childline (Suspected Child Abuse Hotline)
1-800-932-0313
Wyoming Valley Drug and Alcohol
570-655-3900 570-820-8888
Children Service Center (Counseling/ Therapy/Crisis)
570-825-6425
Community Counseling
570-552-3760
Helpline
570-829-1341
For a full list of Community Resources, please contact Ms. Leo, School Counselor, or visit her guidance website

30 Charter School Way
Bear Creek Twp. Pa 18702

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

SAP TEAM MEMBERS

Kristen Young, Director of Student Affairs x6206
Tina Vojtko, School Nurse x6106
Melanie Leo, School Counselor x6200
Renee Novitski, Teacher x7210
Maura Tochelli, Teacher x7110
Matthew Ide, Teacher x7201

Tel: 570-820-4070

What is SAP?

What happens with this
process?
A referral is brought to the attention of a SAP team member and specific information about your child’s performance in school will be gathered. The team (including you, with your consent) discusses the referral and comes up with a strategic plan of action to get the student the help they need. The process can only go so far without parent consent, since parents are a true key component of the success of this program. As with any part of education, YOU ARE PART OF THE TEAM!
The plan may include services and activities in school and/or services from a community agency. There are community agencies in which we have liaisons that are participating members of our SAP team
How do I refer
someone to sap?
Any concerned individual could refer your child to SAP, including parents, teachers, students. It is strictly out of concern for your child and all referrals will be taken seriously, following a state-guideline process.
There are referral forms outside the nurses office on the bulletin board that students, parents, or faculty members can pick up, fill out and place in a team member’s mailbox. The form can also be scanned and emailed to a team member—whatever works best for you!
You can also find a referral form on Ms. Leo’s
website under “Student Assistance Program” at:
bearcreekcounselor.weebly.com
THE KEY TO A VALID REFERRAL IS OBSERVABLE CHANGES AND OBSERVABLE CONCERNS
* All referrals are confidential and can be made anonymously if preferred!

Most, if not all, Pennsylvania elementary, middle, and high schools have Student Assistance Programs, which is a school-wide resource for students and families who are experiencing barriers to learning because of a variety of reasons which may cause you to be concerned, such as:
Withdrawing from family, friends and/or school
Changing friends; no longer spending time with old friends
Unexplained physical injuries
Talking about suicide
Depressed
Defying authority (at home or at school)
Experimenting with drugs or alcohol
Sudden drop in grades
Low self-esteem
Acting aggressively
Lying
Destructive decisions
Reluctance to attend school
Decreased motivation
Sudden change in behavior
Or you may be concerned about your child’s reaction to:
Recent death or divorce
A relationship problem
Relocation

The SAP team is a skilled team of school personnel and local community
liaisons trained to recognize high-risk behaviors that
create barriers to learning and impede
academic success.

SAP TEAM MEMBERS

Kristen Young, Director of Student Affairs x6206
Tina Vojtko, School Nurse x6106
Melanie Leo, School Counselor x6200
Renee Novitski, Teacher x7210
Maura Tochelli, Teacher x7110
Matthew Ide, Teacher x7201
Matthew Ide, t
Maura Tochelli, Teacher x7110