CREATING A SNAP ACADEMYMark J. Shuster & Krista L. Rundell

Pottsgrove School District

Demographics of Pottsgrove High School

Location: Pottstown, PA - 45 miles Northwest of Philadelphia

Number of students: approximately 1,100 in grades 9-12

Ethnic diversity (2007):

White 84.8%

Black 12.8%

Asian 1.4%

Hispanic 0.8%

Socio-economic status: economically disadvantaged 15.4%

Administrative Support

New Administration from Superintendent to Vice-Principal

All embraced technology integration and Whole Child initiative

Approached Principal (Christopher Shaffer) to discuss SAP program and he wrote grant for Pottstown Health & Wellness Foundation

Perception Video

Perception Video

Pottstown Health & Wellness Foundation

$37,500 grant

Heavy on technology

Student-created resources for community

Student-centered programs for district (Mentoring/Mediation)

Pottstown Health & Wellness Foundation

$37,500 grant

Heavy on technology

Student-created resources for community

Student-centered programs for district (Mentoring/Mediation)

Goals & Vision of Program

The SNAP Academy is a team of student leaders at the high school who serve as a proactive extension of the SAP team by:

providing informal guidance for other students,

offering resources through various technologies, and

organizing drug and alcohol-free programming & activities.

Students understand they are not counselors!

Selection of MembersLooking for:

students who would be a benefit TO the program or could benefit FROM the program

a diverse cross-section of the school population

Teacher recommended

Introduced program and invited students

Students signed contracts to participate

Program was approved by School Board as a class for credit

The PLEDGEKnowing the mission of the SNAP team, I pledge to maintain a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle and abide by all laws.

Knowing I have the potential to be a role model in the school, I pledge to maintain a positive, respectful rapport with all peers and staff members.

Knowing that participation in the SNAP Academy is a privilege that directly impacts my class schedule, I pledge to do my best academically in all classes.

Knowing that the Academy will function at its best with committed membership, I pledge to attend all leadership training dates.

Training of Members

Thom Stecher & Associates (www.ThomStecher.com)

3 days of training in Spring

Low Ropes - creating trust and group solidarity

High Ropes - reaching individual goals with group support

Discussion - determining mission and goals of program

Training Video (Low Ropes)

Training Video (Low Ropes)

Student-Centered ProgramCreated mission statement - their perception of school needs

Relationships (Healthy Relations)

Equality for All (Diversity)

Safe Havens (Domestic Issues)

Prevent Abuse (ATOD Abuse)

Emotional Awareness (Mental Health Issues)

Conflict Resolution (Bullying)

TOGETHERNESS

Student-Centered ProgramCreated mission statement - their perception of school needs

Relationships (Healthy Relations)

Equality for All (Diversity)

Safe Havens (Domestic Issues)

Prevent Abuse (ATOD Abuse)

Emotional Awareness (Mental Health Issues)

Conflict Resolution (Bullying)

TOGETHERNESS

Student-Centered ProgramEstablish four components of Academy

Peer Mentoring (helping students adjust to HS through informal guidance)

Peer Mediation (students arbitrating between peers to resolve conflict)

Programming & Activities ( sponsoring drug and alcohol-free events)

Technology (provide resources to promote healthy living)

Student-Centered ProgramEstablish four components of Academy

Peer Mentoring (helping students adjust to HS through informal guidance)

Peer Mediation (students arbitrating between peers to resolve conflict)

Programming & Activities ( sponsoring drug and alcohol-free events)

Technology (provide resources to promote healthy living)

Student-Centered ProgramEstablish four components of Academy

Peer Mentoring (helping students adjust to HS through informal guidance)

Peer Mediation (students arbitrating between peers to resolve conflict)

Programming & Activities ( sponsoring drug and alcohol-free events)

Technology (provide resources to promote healthy living)

Student-Centered ProgramEstablish four components of Academy

Peer Mentoring (helping students adjust to HS through informal guidance)

Peer Mediation (students arbitrating between peers to resolve conflict)

Programming & Activities ( sponsoring drug and alcohol-free events)

Technology (provide resources to promote healthy living)

Student-Centered ProgramEstablish four components of Academy

Peer Mentoring (helping students adjust to HS through informal guidance)

Peer Mediation (students arbitrating between peers to resolve conflict)

Programming & Activities ( sponsoring drug and alcohol-free events)

Technology (provide resources to promote healthy living)

Student-Centered ProgramEstablish four components of Academy

Peer Mentoring (helping students adjust to HS through informal guidance)

Peer Mediation (students arbitrating between peers to resolve conflict)

Programming & Activities ( sponsoring drug and alcohol-free events)

Technology (provide resources to promote healthy living)

Post-Prom Party

SNAP Academy Video

SNAP Academy Video

Our Community Resource Website

Our Community Resource Website

Course Curriculum through Moodle

http://pgsdmoodle.mciu.org/course/view.php?id=26

Course Curriculum through Moodle

http://pgsdmoodle.mciu.org/course/view.php?id=26

Program Evaluation

Program Evaluation

Program Evaluation

Currently involved in an Evaluation Clinic through La Salle University to develop and implement valid evaluation of program

Using the Kellogg Logic Model (W.K. Kellogg Foundation)

Program Evaluation

Currently involved in an Evaluation Clinic through La Salle University to develop and implement valid evaluation of program

Using the Kellogg Logic Model (W.K. Kellogg Foundation)

Our SuccessesPresenting at PA SAP!

Hoped for 20 members, took in 40 members

School Board adopted as a class

Program created WITH students

Impact on students in class

Resources for community

Other schools visit and inquire about program

Our Challenges

Keeping students motivated - academics, sports, clubs

Too many initial activities - set a limit, do a few really well

Kids being kids - revamping of membership contract

The Future of Our Program

Three day per six day cycle class (.33 to .5 credit increase)

Middle School is developing junior SNAP Academy program

Online course offered through Educere for other schools

Questions?

Mark J. Shuster mshuster@pgsd.org

Krista L. Rundell krundell@pgsd.org

Questions?

Mark J. Shuster mshuster@pgsd.org

Krista L. Rundell krundell@pgsd.org