S.A.C. Services
Mrs.
Stephanie Scanlon, Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC), offers support
to both Middle School and High School students concerning a wide
variety of issues such as relationships, depression, family matters,
difficulty with peers, etc. Her primary focus is to help students learn
healthy ways to cope with problems so that they won't resort to
unhealthy means such as drug and alcohol use. It is with this in mind
that Mrs. Scanlon teaches life sills such as effective communication,
anger management, decision making and peer pressure resistance skills.
All discussions are kept confidential with exceptions concerning the
student's or others' safety. She makes suggestions and referrals to
out-of-school counselors and programs for more serious issues.
Mrs.
Scanlon meets with students individually and, if enough students are
experiencing similar issues, in small groups. Groups are formed to
address topics such as:
- Anger management
- Children of divorce
- Grief and loss
- Substance abuse in the family
- Drug and alcohol education
Mrs.
Scanlon also visits classrooms with substance awareness and prevention
presentations and organizes coffee houses on occasional Saturday nights
throughout the year in order to provide alcohol-free alternative
activities to teenagers.
Mrs.
Scanlon is in the Middle School on Mondays and Wednesdays (461-8822,
ext. 4017; voice mail 4553), the High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays
(461-6100, ext. 3009) and both schools every other Friday. She welcomes
your questions and suggestions!
"Parents
are the frontline defense in keeping their children from using alcohol
and other drugs by advocating a zero tolerance policy. Remember,
teenagers are rebellious by nature -- if you condone a risky behavior,
they will take it a step further."
Mrs. Scanlon
"Research
overwhelmingly affirms that parents who calmly, lovingly and firmly
oppose adolescent drug (and alcohol) use tend to have safer teens.
(This approach) does limit teen use, even if it doesn't stop it
entirely. Parents who shrug off or support their kids' use tend to have
teens who develop serious problems."
Dr. Mike Bradley, Adolescent Psychologist - www.docmikebradley.com