Welcome
CARE
The CARE Team is Conestoga's Student Assistance Team designed to support students with a variety of concerns that can interfere with their ability to succeed in school. Such issues might include: stress, anxiety, peer relationships, family concerns, depression, substance abuse and eating disorders.
The CARE Team works confidentially in conjunction with families to identify student needs and implement strategies for confronting barriers. The CARE Team can be contacted through the assistant principal in Room 130.
Referrals to the CARE Team may be made by teachers, staff members, guidance counselors, administrators, parents, friends, or by students themselves. If you are concerned for yourself or one of your friends, please see your guidance counselor or a member of the CARE Team to make a referral.
Achievement Center
The Achievement Center is a centralized drop-in help room where students can get support from tutors in writing, math, and organizational skills. The Achievement Center is open daily during the school day from 7:50AM to 2:50 PM. It is located in Room 126A.
Students may drop in during free periods or receive a pass from a teacher during study halls. Students may make appointments with a tutor when necessary. Staff members will track arrival and departure time for accountability. Counselors or teachers may recommend that students visit the Achievement Center to have more success in a class or classes.
There are several individuals who work with students.
- Richa Tandon supports students who need assistance with Science.
- Nick Kennedy supports students who need assistance with math.
- Greg Martin supports students who need assistance with writing.
- National Honor Society tutors will be available to assist students with assignments or studying in most subject areas.
CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL’S
CARE TEAM
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
CARE TEAM MISSION
In a changing world, we are all confronted with a variety of problems that interfere with our ability to succeed. Use and abuse of controlled substances and mental health concerns are some of the products of stress in our society. Recognizing this, as individual members of our school family and the greater community, we are committed to providing appropriate resources and support for those in need. Helping to remove barriers to learning-Where to go and what to do if you or a friend needs assistance.
The Conestoga CARE Team, in partnership with school, community support services, and families will:
- Encourage educational programs that promote wellness.
- Identify student needs by recognizing school behaviors that indicate a need for help.
- Assess behaviors to determine an action plan.
Implement action plans by:
- Intervening to help the student confront issues
- Referring the student to appropriate professionals
- Supporting the student through the process
CARE Team Members
- Katherine Barthelmeh, Counselor
- Justin Beasley-Turner, Counselor
- Andrea Brennan, Nurse
- Christine Dunleavy, Mental Health Specialist
- Grace Gara, Mental Health Specialist
- Jenna Grabiak, Mental Health Specialist
- Brooke Hauer, Librarian
- Carly Jackson, Liaison for the Caron Treatment Centers
- Nicole Jolly, Administrator
- Jenn Kratsa, Student Services Department Chairperson
- Aaron Lockard, Teacher
- Karen McCraw, Teacher
- Dan McDermott, Counselor
- Melissa McMenamin, Counselor
- Kimberly McPhillips, Teacher
- Kimberly Meade, Nurse
- Rachel Reavy, Counselor
- Brian Samson, Counselor
- Megan Smyth, Counselor
- Laureen Stohrer, Counselor
- Danielle Yucis, Counselor
THE CARE TEAM
Today's adolescents are often confronted with a variety of problems that can interfere with their ability to succeed in school. Such issues might include stress, anxiety, peer relationships, family concerns, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders. Our students, like all young people today, must cope with a growing number of social pressures. Recognizing this, Conestoga High School is dedicated to identifying students who may need assistance to remove these barriers that affect the students’ ability to succeed in school. The confidential CARE Team process recognizes that parents have a major role and responsibility in making decisions regarding their children, and the team will make every effort to involve parents in every step of the process.
REFERRAL PROCESS
Contacts any teacher, counselor, or administrator to make a referral.
When a student is recommended to the CARE Team by the SSC:
- A case manager is assigned. The student’s parents are contacted. The case manager distributes a behavior checklist to the student’s teachers. The documentation process concentrates on observable behaviors only.
- The CARE team reviews the information and one or more of the following may occur:
- No action is needed.
- Parent may take private medical or other action.
- With parental consent, the student meets with the mental health or drug and alcohol counselor for an assessment.
- The team may conduct a formal or informal intervention.
Community Resources
- When a student’s situation lies beyond the scope of the school’s programs, the CARE Team will inform the parents of the problem and provide information on community resources available to obtain assistance for their child.
State-Wide Process
- The CARE Team is part of a state-wide student assistance program. There are SAP teams in operation in all of Pennsylvania’s public schools.