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Student Assistance Program

Hill-Murray’s Student Assistance Program

Thanks in part to a grant from Hazelden and the Anderson Foundation, a Student Assistance Program was launched at Hill-Murray in the fall of 2001. The program is part of the overall Guidance and Counseling program. It does not replace any existing programs, but works instead to make the best use of available resources.

The Student Assistance Program has two goals. The first is to help increase overall awareness among students and staff at Hill-Murray about issues as diverse as depression, tobacco use, stress management, career paths, sexual identity and chemical abuse. Increased awareness is the first step in making good decisions and in helping other people find the support they need. The program also supports the discussion and promotion of healthy assets in youth and adults alike. Research shows that protective factors such as autonomy, a sense of purpose and future, social competence and problem-solving skills help guide students away from high-risk behaviors and help promote a positive approach to life’s issues. To assist in this goal, a peer empowerment group has been formed at Hill-Murray. The group is known as C.A.R.E. (Caring And Responsive Empowerment). The inaugural group of twenty students received training in June of 2001. All Hill-Murray students are encouraged to take part in these activities throughout the year. For a complete description of C.A.R.E. activities, see the description on this website.

To also aid in raising awareness about life issues, the Student Assistance Team offers training to all staff members during inservice time and at monthly staff meetings. Topics covered have included: helping students make transitions, sexual identity, eating disorders, helping students handle school stress, signs of chemical abuse, gender issues in the classroom, depression awareness and suicide prevention, current drug trends, the rise in methamphetamine use, youth gambling and the adolescent brain.

The second goal of the Student Assistance Program is to help identify students who are experiencing obstacles to success in school. These obstacles could be any number of concerns, including attendance problems, academic difficulty, alcohol and other drug use and abuse, unhealthy dating relationships, eating disorders, family stress, and others. Students can be referred confidentially and a trained Student Assistance Team then addresses the referral and works with the student and his/her parents to address the concerns. On-campus resources such as guidance and counseling services, peer listening and campus ministry are put to use to assist the student. Referrals to outside resources are made when necessary. The objective of this aspect of the program is to help get students back on track and moving in the right direction.

The Student Assistance Team is made up of staff members including teachers, counselors, and administrators.

Team members for the 2007-2008 school year include: Kelley Barbato, Dean of Students; Don Blake, Social Studies Teacher; Melissa Johnson, Religion Teacher; Julie Jorissen, Health/PE Teacher; Judy Markoe, Health Assistant; Doug Phillips, English Teacher; Jodi Hurley, High School Counselor; Mary Jo Rafferty, High School Counselor; Aaron Miller, Assistant Principal for Student Life; Denise Bates, Director of Admissions and Lisa Valentine, Middle School Counselor and Student Assistance Coordinator.

Please contact Lisa Valentine at 748-2224 or lvalentine@hill-murray.org if you have questions or support to offer.


 

651-777-1376    Copyright 2005 Hill-Murray School
2625 Larpenteur Avenue East, Maplewood, MN 55109      Phone: 651-777-1376      Fax: 651-748-2444