PA SAP Conference 2009 Presentation - without videos

1. CREATING A SNAP ACADEMY
Mark J. Shuster & Krista L. Rundell
Pottsgrove School District

2. 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%

3. 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

4. Perception Video

5. Perception Video

6. Pottstown Health &
Wellness Foundation
$37,500 grant
Heavy on technology
Student-created resources for community
Student-centered programs for district (Mentoring/Mediation)

7. Pottstown Health &
Wellness Foundation
$37,500 grant
Heavy on technology
Student-created resources for community
Student-centered programs for district (Mentoring/Mediation)

8. 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!

9. Selection of Members
Looking 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

10. The PLEDGE
Knowing 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.

11. 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

12. Training Video (Low Ropes)

13. Training Video (Low Ropes)

14. Student-Centered Program
Created 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

15. Student-Centered Program
Created 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

16. Student-Centered Program
Establish 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)

17. Student-Centered Program
Establish 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)

18. Student-Centered Program
Establish 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)

19. Student-Centered Program
Establish 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)

20. Student-Centered Program
Establish 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)

21. Student-Centered Program
Establish 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)
Post-Prom
Party
Technology (provide resources to promote healthy living)

22. SNAP Academy Video

23. SNAP Academy Video

24. Our Community
Resource Website

25. Our Community
Resource Website

26. Course Curriculum
through Moodle
http://pgsdmoodle.mciu.org/course/view.php?id=26

27. Course Curriculum
through Moodle
http://pgsdmoodle.mciu.org/course/view.php?id=26

28. Program Evaluation

29. Program Evaluation

30. 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)

31. 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)

32. Our Successes
Presenting 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. Questions?
Mark J. Shuster mshuster@pgsd.org
Krista L. Rundell krundell@pgsd.org

36. Questions?
Mark J. Shuster mshuster@pgsd.org
Krista L. Rundell krundell@pgsd.org