Student Assistance Program
Student Success Story
A high school senior was referred to the Student Assistance Program (SAP) by the dean of discipline due to a physical altercation with a security guard on campus. Before beginning the initial SAP interview, the Reach Out Counselor consulted with the dean to acquire more details about this student and to gather information about his background to familiarize himself with this individual case. This student had a history of defiance and was in danger of not graduating. He hung out with party crews and used various drugs, including “huffing” nitrous oxide, otherwise known as NOS. Huffing requires the inhaling of fumes from spray paint cans, computer desktop cleaners and other aerosol type cans. This type of drug-use is considered to be extremely dangerous, so an intervention at this point was paramount to implement.
The first meeting with the student was to discuss his anger issues and he was placed in an anger management group. After working with the student for several weeks, the counselor observed the student’s behavior in group and monitored his progress in his classes through direct communication with his teachers. Prior to the student being in group, his grade point average (GPA) was well below the 2.0 mark; but at the end of the group, he had maintained well over a 3.0 GPA and was able to continue on this path for the rest of the year. The counselor was able to keep up with this student after he had finished group by inviting him to support groups and through individual follow-up sessions. He ended up graduating with a 3.6 GPA and started at California Polytechnic State University in Pomona in the fall of 2011. He will be studying construction engineering technology.
Once the student was in a position to deal with his issues and have his needs met, he was able to move over the hurdles keeping him from his full potential. With help from SAP staff, this student, and hundreds of others will be able to move forward in their lives and with their goals.
“Students communicate with me regularly about how they look forward to meeting with their counselor. Parents have also shared that counseling has provided a place for their students to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. It would be a tremendous loss if the counseling program was not available to our students in need.”
- Principal in the Rialto School District
“My students who go to counseling need the extra support. The issues which they are being seen for are beyond what I am trained for.”
3rd Grade Teacher in the Rialto School District
“The counseling program has been very helpful to Werner Elementary School. At first, I was a little hesitant that the parents and students would not understand the function and purpose of the program at school, but it has worked well. Werner is located in a low socio-economic area, and our population consists of 94% of all students receiving free or reduced lunch. Working with a challenging population, that has many life concerns, is not an easy task. Our counselor has worked to help students cope with the sometimes overwhelming activities and concerns that take place within a school. She has formed small groups that work on positive interactions with one another, as well as one-on one counseling sessions. She has gained the trust of students, parents and staff members. We see her as part of our Werner family and she has helped on many occasions to intervene in “crisis” situations. We have seen a positive change in student attitude and academic performance.”
- Principal in the Rialto School District
