The Mission of Pupil Personnel Services
and Service Providers
When students struggle to make meaningful progress academically, the joy of learning may be lost to frustration. The Department of Pupil Personnel Services mission is to provide support for students, staff, families, and community so that students may have successful educational experiences.
By definition, Pupil Personnel Services include:
Within Highlands School District, these services are organized to meet the needs of all students and to support the educational program within each school building.
Guidance Services are available at the Middle and High schools. Two counselors serve the middle school: Mr. Dan Cali and Mrs. Pat Tigano. Mrs. Bonnie Crawford is the MS guidance secretary. Serving students at the High School are guidance counselors Mrs. Susie Giovengo, Mrs. Beth Carrarini, and Mrs. Marilyn Skwortz. Ms. Kim Hines is the HS guidance secretary.
Student Assistance Teams, specially trained groups of teachers, school counselors, administrators and a liaison from the local mental health agency (Family Services of Western Pennsylvania) are available at all levels to support students who are experiencing difficulty with the educational process. Issues that are addressed include academic problems, emotional/social issues, and alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use/abuse.
Mrs. Diane Phelps, social worker, provides services to Fairmount and Fawn Primary Centers. Ms. Christina Rago provides services to the students of Grandview Upper Elementary. Dr. Karen King, Director of Pupil Personnel Services and School Psychologist (724-224-5880), provides psychological services throughout the district.
Psychological Services, Crisis Intervention, Crisis Post-vention (support services provided after a crisis), and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training are also coordinated by Dr. King. Concerns regarding issue of confidentiality of school records should be addressed to Dr. King. The Comprehensive Records And Confidentiality Plan can be accessed through the link below.
Safety Planning is coordinated by Dr. King and Mr. Jay Morgan.
Nursing Services are available in all buildings. These programs are supervised by Dr. King. High School Nursing services, Department Chair: Mrs. Kim Woodrow, Certified School Nurse
Middle Schoo , Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and St. Joseph's High SchoolMrs., Shelly Long-Vickers, Certified School Nurse.
Grandview, Fairmount, and Fawn Schools: Mrs. Mary Beth Jones, Certified and Registered Nurse Practitioner and Certified School Nurse. Ms. Amy Vantine, LPN, and Mrs. Lisa Grosholz, assist Mrs. Jones.
Licensed Practical Nurses provide services under the supervision of the Certified School Nurses.
Services to students and families experiencing homelessness are coordinated Dr. King.
Student Assistance Services, Elementary Student Assistance Services, and Instructional Support Services are combined under the heading of ProjectCONNECT. Each building has a ProjectCONNECT team. Mrs. Debra Lehew, Director of Special Education Services, coordinates this program (724-224-0300).
Concerns regarding Title IX compliance are handled by Dr. King. Concerns regarding Title VII compliance are coordinated by Mr. Jon Rupert, business manager (724-226-2400).
The Student Services Plan (mandated by PDE Chapter 12) can be assessed at the link below.
Mandated annual notices for PPS can be accessed through the links below. They also appear in the school calendar:
· FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
· HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Access Act)
· The McKinney-Vento Act (Services for families experiencing homelessness)
The Student Services Plan
The Comprehensive Records and Confidentiality Plan
Mandated annual notices regarding childfind and special education services appear in the special education link.
