Panther Pride
P.A.N.T.H.E.R. Pride school-wide positive behavior support program in Kindergarten through 6th grades! MaST wants to recognize the positive character strengths of all of our students. In order to do this, staff will have several ways of rewarding the students. When a staff member or teacher sees a student showing any of the P.A.N.T.H.E.R. Pride behaviors listed below, students will receive a ticket and write their name and section number on it. The ticket will be placed in an envelope in their classroom. Each Friday, two tickets will be randomly drawn from each grade and their names will be announced during morning announcements. Winners will choose a special prize from the Panther Pride Prize Bin. Each month, homeroom teachers will nominate one student who consistently exhibits P.A.N.T.H.E.R. Pride behaviors. These students will receive a certificate, have their picture taken for the school website, and attend the monthly P.A.N.T.H.E.R Pride event. Lastly, there will be an end of the year celebration for students have received the most tickets throughout the year.
P.A.N.T.H.E.R Pride Behaviors:
Politeness
Acting safely
Nobleness
Tolerance
Honesty
Excellence
Respect
Counseling Services
Our counseling department strives to enhance the well being of students by facilitating their emotional, interpersonal, and academic development. Our counselors provide emotional support, small group counseling, and facilitate conflict resolution to empower our students toward autonomy.
Counselors provide brief counseling to any student who would like to discuss personal concerns. Issues addressed by our counselors range from interpersonal issues and family concerns to problems such as anxiety, depression, and self-management.
To provide integrated student support services, we sometimes collaborate with outside mental health providers to provide and receive information about a student. In those cases, we obtain your consent using the form below.
Section 504
Some school age children with disabilities who do not meet special education eligibility requirements might still be eligible for special protections and for adaptations and accommodations in instruction, facilities, and activities under Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
A student is eligible for these protections and supports if he or she meets the following criteria:
- Has a physical or mental disability that substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the student’s school program.
- Is not eligible for special education services or programs.
MaST Community Charter School must ensure that qualified students with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate in the school program and activities to the maximum extent appropriate for each individual student.
MaST Community Charter School provides to each qualifying protected student with a disability without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities and to the extent required by these laws. These supports and accommodations are documented in a Section 504 Service Agreement.
If you suspect that your child may qualify as a protected student with a disability, please contact the school counselor to request an evaluation.
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The MaST SAP Team is part of a state-wide Student Assistance Program which operates in all of Pennsylvania’s school districts. SAP provides schools with the means to identify barriers to a student’s learning and success. The MaST SAP Team is a dedicated group of school personnel who are trained to identify problems that impact the student’s ability to function in school. The team also offers resources to students and their families to assist them in alleviating these problems.
Why would a student be referred to the SAP Team?
Students can be referred to the team for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to:
- Withdrawing from family or friends
- Change in peer group
- Talking about depression or suicide
- Unusual eating or sleeping habits
- Sudden drop in grades
- Frequent absences
- Lying or taking other’s property
- Physical or verbal aggression
- Suspicion of alcohol or drug use
- Change in appearance
- Significant or traumatic family event (divorce, illness, death, relocation)
If you are concerned about a student for any of these reasons, you can make a referral to the SAP Team.
Who can make a referral?
A parent, teacher, counselor, staff member or peer can make a referral to any member of the SAP Team. Staff members can make a SAP referral online on the Intranet under the “SAP Forms” tab. Once the team receives a referral, they will reach out to the parents to gain parent permission before continuing the process. The SAP Team will work closely with the parents and student to recommend appropriate resources and supports.
What resources are available to students who go through the MaST SAP process?
The SAP Team may make recommendations for school-based interventions or community-based supports. The SAP Team work collaboratively to suggest supports and interventions that are appropriate for each individual student. The SAP Team also works closely with CORA Services. A student may be referred for an assessment with a CORA clinician in order to connect the student/family with additional community-based supports.
Are Referrals Confidential?
The entire SAP process is both confidential and voluntary. The MaST SAP Team referral does not become part of the student’s educational records.