|

WHAT IS
S.T.A.R.S.?
(Students Taking
A Right Stand)
MISSION
STATEMENT:
STARS NASHVILLE
WORKS WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES TO HELP ALL
STUDENTS OVERCOME SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BARRIERS TO LEARNING.
http://www.starsnashville.org
Hello everyone,
My name is Ms.
Guess and I am the STARS Student Assistance
Specialist/Counselor.
My office is
located in the Counseling Center, Room 011,
Reginag@wcs.edu.
This fall I will
be entering my thirteenth year at Franklin High School as a
STARS Specialist/Counselor, but I have worked with teens and
families much longer.
I look forward
to serving you and would like you to help identify students
that need assistance. Franklin is a fantastic school.
High school is as exciting as it is challenging. We want our
students high school years to be great and we want you to
know that STARS is here to help when needed.
WHAT IS
S.TA.R.S?
STARS stands for
Students Taking A Right Stand.
It is a
Student Assistance Program designed specifically to
assist students with problems that may interfere with the
learning process.
·
STARS
provides confidential, individual or small group counseling
to students at no cost. Individual counseling utilizes
motivational interviewing techniques that help reduce
resistance. Research based curriculum are used in
groups. The STARS Specialist makes every attempt to meet
with the student during the least intrusive class period.
·
STARS
assistance is voluntary. Students have the right to
request services and have also have the right to decline
services if they did not initiate the contact: the only
exceptions are students returning from the ALC/those who
have been court ordered.
·
STARS
provides classroom presentations on Teen topics and
prevention calendar events, arranges assemblies and promotes
other positive activities/events that example the STARS
Mission Statement
.
WHAT KINDS OF
ISSUES DOES STARS ADDRESS?
Students are seen on a variety of issues, to include:
·
Students who are
struggling with tobacco/alcohol or other drugs and want to
change.
·
Students who
have guardian/family members/siblings with alcohol or other
drug issues.
·
Students who are
in recovery/returning from treatment/hospitalization
·
Students who
evidence depression signs/have verbalized/written suicidal
thought/plan
·
Students who are
teased/bullied/harassed
·
Students who are
doing poorly in school/feel disconnected
·
Students who
have peer conflicts
·
Students with
incarcerated family/close kin/relatives.
·
Students who may
be emotional/verbal/physical abused
·
Students who
struggle with identity.
·
Students who
evidence need for improved social skills
·
Students who
have anger/conflict resolution issues
Students
impacted by separation/divorce or non traditional families
·
Anxiety/phobias
·
states custody
·
·
Students returning
from alcohol/drug treatment and want to work a recovery
program.
·
Students who self
injure/evidence eating disorders
·
Students who
exhibit disruptive behaviors in the classroom
·
Students with
grief/loss issues
·
Students
returning from the ALC.
WHAT IS THE
STARS SEC (Student Executive Council)?
The STARS
Specialist coordinates a STARS
Student Executive Council: a group of students who example
the STARS mission statement, are drug/alcohol free, have a
peace mentality and serve as peer role models. SEC
members assist the STARS Specialist with all prevention
activities or events. SEC
students receive leadership trainings/peer mediation
speaking opportunities throughout the year. Students
who example the STARS mission statement apply for the SEC at
the beginning of the school year.
WHAT IS THE
STARS TNT (Teens in Touch)
The STARS
Specialist coordinates a Sexual Abstinence based program,
pregnant teen and teen parent counseling, abstinence
classroom education, individual intervention and maintains a
peer panel that speaks to middle school students
WHAT IS
WILLIAMSON COUNTY UNITED WAY YAC (YOUTH IN ACTION COUNCIL)
CLUB?
High
school students across Williamson County come together to
raise awareness about the needs in our community.
Students hold meetings plan events, raise money and actually
decide to how the money raised will be allocated to local
United Way agencies. Members of the STARS SEC
have opportunities to serve on the panel and participate in
service learning projects planned by the YAC panel.
This club is open to all students regardless of
school club affiliation. The STARS Specialist works
with the YAC Coordinator.
WHAT IS A STARS
CORE TEAM?
STARS could not
exist in the school without help and is fortunate to have a
group of dedicated staff within this school that assist us
with keeping our program active.
The Core Team
consists of faculty members (people that you see here
everyday that go that extra mile). They receive
professional growth training opportunities on topics
relative to teens, refer students and are supportive of the
goals and objectives of the STARS Student Assistance
Program. The Core Team advocates to keep a private,
confidential STARS office within the school.
The STARS Specialist meets monthly with the team to achieve
yearly goals. All Core Team members have blue signs
displayed outside of their
door.
WHAT IS REQUIRED
TO BE A CORE TEAM MEMBER?
Maintain student
confidentiality as it relates to referrals
Identify
students that need assistance and to make the referral
Assist the STARS
Specialist with goals
Attend Monthly
meetings after school
What exactly is
a STARS Student Assistance Program?
S.T.A.R.S.
(STUDENTS TAKING A RIGHT STAND)
S.T.A.R.S. is a
Not for Profit Student Assistance Program. The
Williamson County STARS Student Assistance Program is a
nationally recognized Program of Excellence.
Student
Assistance Programs work with the schools to provide
intervention via individual counseling and small group
participation to students at no charge.
STARS SAP
Specialists work with a trained Core Team of school
personnel. A Student Assistance Program is like a
help/counseling center that works in the school environment
and with the school
S.T.A.R.S
targets problem areas that are barriers to learning and
negatively impact student academic, emotional, physical or
social performance in school, at home/and in the community.
We are a local
United Way designated community program.
S.T.A.R.S
Student Assistance Programs currently serves Middle and High
School Students, provides training opportunities for faculty
and leadership, service learning opportunities for students
and parenting resources such as the Elementary and Middle
School research based Strengthening Families Program.
Some of our parenting classes are also hosted by Parent
Educator, Jim Williams.
S.T.A.R.S.
promotes a strong “no use” message throughout the school
year via posters, announcements, speakers, surveys, events
and other related student led activities.
The SAP
Specialist utilizes Freshmen/ Parent Orientations, Classroom
Presentations, Faculty Meetings, Speakers Open Houses and
other opportunities to educate students, parents, faculty,
staff and the community on S.T.A.R.S. programs.
STARS utilizes
research based curriculums and students participate in data
collection at the beginning and end of services.
More on STARS
services
During the
school year, the STARS Student Assistance Specialist
/Counselor will work to identify students who have barriers
to learning and may involve them in a variety of activities
developed to assist in his/her ability to cope with the
social and academic pressures young people may encounter.
Students receive
confidential assistance; except in cases that present a
hurt, harm or danger to them or someone else. This
distinction is explained during initial sessions by the
STARS SAP counselor. Students have the right to
decline services, even if they are referred by the faculty.
Prevention
activities are planned monthly and announced to the student
body, via Franklin at Five, announcements, email, posters or
handouts.
Except in crisis
situations, students are encouraged to have a note to see
the STARS Student Assistance Specialist/Counselor.
Teachers will be
notified when students are seen, but due to confidentiality,
will not be told the nature of the visit unless the student
gives permission.
AVAILABLE STARS
SMALL GROUPS:
INSIGHT
for students who are concerned about their own use of
alcohol/other drugs. Students will receive education,
guidance and support in learning to be clean and sober.
GRIEF/LOSS: Students will learn coping strategies for
dealing with issues of loss: geographic move, death of a
loved one, pet. major life change, parental/guardian
military service, separation, abandonment/ divorce,
incarceration…
CHOICES:
An abstinence based group that teaches students how to
address their risk factors and survival strategies for a
variety of life controlling issues.
CONCERNED
PERSONS: Students will learn coping skills in dealing
family members or guardians that are impacted by:
addiction/mental health issues/incarceration /blended
families/rage…
CONFLICT RESOLUTION/RESPECT AND PROTECT: Students will learn
strategies for controlling their anger/peaceably resolving
conflicts.
RECOVERY
SUPPORT: Students who are involved in a recovery program
will receive guidance and support in remaining drug free.
SMOKING
CESSATION: for only students who are serious about
stopping smoking or using tobacco related products.
Students receive education on how they are targeted,
physical impact on their bodies, coping strategies, guidance
and help to overcome their addiction to nicotine.
RECONNECTING
YOUTH is for students who desire motivation to do well in
school.
CONNECTING
OTHERS is for students who would like to improve their
social and emotional skills.
***Research based curriculums will be used in all groups and
will additionally contain lesson instruction on: Asset
building, character education, diversity tolerance, self
esteem, boundaries, social skills.
The following
are a few issues that some students struggle with that can
be considered high risk and require supports.
This does not
mean that students with other issues won’t be seen; however
please understand that students with the highest risk are
given priority.
Students will be
assessed for their appropriateness for individual counseling
or small group participation. Issues that are outside
the STARS scope of practice will be referred to in school or
outside resources.
In some cases,
parents will be contacted students with referrals to outside
services/administration will be consulted.
*****************************************************************************
MORE ABOUT THE
CORE TEAM
STARS could not
exist in the school without help and is fortunate to have a
group of dedicated staff within this school that assist us
with keeping our program active.
The Core Team
receives training opportunities, works to keep a private,
confidential STARS office within the school, assist with
small groups and supports the goals and objectives of the
STARS program. The Core Team consists of people that
you see here everyday that go that extra mile in addition to
their role as faculty and staff.
If you are
interested in more information on how to join, please
contact me. The Core Team meets once a month at times
that are convenient to members. A Core Team Training
for all members is provided during the first semester of the
school year. Parents are also encouraged to serve on
the Core Team.
**************************************************************************
For Students
WHAT
IS S.TA.R.S?
STARS stands for
Students Taking A Right Stand.
It is a Student
Assistance Program designed specifically to assist students
with problems that may interfere with your learning process.
It’s hard to
focus when you have problems…sometimes you don’t have
someone to talk to or the people you can talk to may be
having the same problem as you. That’s where STARS
comes in.
·
STARS
provides confidential, individual or small group counseling
to students at no cost.
·
STARS
is voluntary, you have the right to request services (school
board policy) and you have the right to decline services, if
you did not initiate the contact. The only except are
students returning from the ALC or court ordered.
·
STARS
arranges assemblies and promotes other positive
activities/events that example our mission statement.
I DON’T WANT
EVERYONE KNOWING MY BUSINESS.
STARS
understands your need for privacy and confidentiality.
Ms. Guess will meet with you during school individually
(it’s ok to bring a friend to our first meeting if that
helps).
WHAT IS
CONFIDENTIALITY?
I HAVE NEVER MET
WITH A COUNSELOR BEFORE.
Anything that
you discuss with Ms. Guess is confidential; unless it is
determined that what you share could be a hurt, harm or
danger to you or someone else, which means your parents or
guardians will be contacted.
Don’t worry,
Ms. Guess will fully explain that to you and of course, your
options. There are no hidden agendas (Ms. Guess
believes in “keeping it real.”). Ms. Guess is
sensitive to what you may feel like to discuss your problems
with a stranger. Most students find the relaxed
atmosphere makes it easier to open up. There is no
pressure. Remember, services are offered and may
also be declined at any time.
WHERE IS THE
STARS OFFICE LOCATED?
Currently the
STARS office is located in the Counseling Center, Room 011.
I have an open
door policy…usually the office is open.
HOW CAN I SEE MY
STARS SPECIALIST?
It’s so easy.
Just ask your teacher for permission. Don’t forget to
get a note: it’s mandatory! If Ms. Guess is
unavailable please leave a note under her door. In
crisis situations, please see a Core Team Member….explained
in more detail as you read on.
WHAT HAPPENS
NEXT?
Your STARS
counselor will use your schedule to locate you. Crisis
situations are given top priority. Students are seen
as quickly as possible. Ms. Guess appreciates
reminders too.
WHAT IS A
REFERRAL?
It’s possible
this year that Ms. Guess may come to speak with you
individually without you expecting it. Our staff is
trained to identify students that may require STARS services
and are encouraged to make referrals to the STARS program.
We have a system
in place in our school that the staff can use to make a
referral. Specific problem areas are checked by the
staff and the form is returned to Ms. Guess. Sometimes
students are referred to a small group. If that
happens, do not be alarmed. Ms. Guess will meet with you and
assess if individuals, groups or outside referral may be
needed. All will be explained at the first
session. We care about you and only want to help you
resolve the problem.
WHAT IS THE
STARS SEC?
The STARS
Student Executive Council is a group of students who example
the STARS mission statement and serve as peer role models.
SEC members assist the STARS Specialist with all prevention
activities or events.
SEC students
receive leadership trainings/peer mediation speaking
opportunities throughout the year. Students who
example the STARS mission statement may apply for the SEC at
the beginning of the school year. If you have served
on the SEC at a school previously and want to continue to
make an impact with your peers, you may apply.
Listen up for
details during announcements at the beginning of the school
year. You can see me in person/also write me a note to
let me know that you are interested. Meetings will be
announced and typically do not interfere with your classes.
*************************************************************************
Teachers
How to make a
S.T.A.R.S. REFERRAL
STARS also
utilizes an internal referral process to identify students
who need assistance. Referral Forms are located in the
STARS mailbox (highlighted in yellow).
Please fill out
the form (front and back).
Return it
(stapled) to the mailbox or you may also fill the form back
as directed above and return it to Shavoncia Watts/her mail
box.
Barbara Rogers
(STARS Core Team Leader)
Shavoncia Watts
(STARS Core Team Referral Coordinator)
Note:
Students are asked if they want the referral to know the
status of their referral (seen/declined) and have the
option of not having this information shared. The name
of the referral is never shared unless the referral makes
the request.
************************************************************************
|