Middle School Student Assistance Program
The mission of the middle school Student Assistance Team is to provide support and programming for students to develop strategies and to manage risk factors associated with the 7-12 grade transitions.
The middle school Student Assistance Program implements programs aimed at:
- Developing and enhancing student sense of self
- Promoting academic growth, school attendance, and involvement in activities
- Supporting early crisis intervention, traumatic events response, and conflict resolution
- A substance-free lifestyle
- Supporting implementation of Character Strong (including bullying prevention) and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) within buildings
Middle School Student Assistance Program Contacts:
Mike Shipley
Student Assistance Specialist
(319) 447-3152 / Email
Available for individual and group counseling support and education for students at Excelsior for a variety of life issues in a confidential format.
Brooke Mullin
Student Assistance Specialist
(319) 447-3409 / Email
Available for individual and group counseling support and education for students at Oak Ridge Middle School for a variety of life issues in a confidential format.
Shawn Knighton
Family Resource Specialist
(319) 730-3633 / Email
Provides direct services to families in the Linn-Mar Community School District regarding at-risk issues, as well as a liaison with parents and community resources.
Student Support Groups:
Small groups dealing with death, divorce, physical challenges, substance abuse, new to the district, and other life issues
CODE (Children of Disruptive Environments)
Jr. ALO (Accountability, Leadership, and Opportunities)
Lion Links
Wellness Based Education:
Jr. SODA, (a group for middle school students okay without drugs and alcohol), includes safe and substance-free programming, classroom lessons, T.R.Y. program activities, and support for student goal setting.
Peer Orientation Program:
Utilizes a staff training team to identify and train 50-75 eighth-grade students to facilitate orientation as small group leaders for incoming sixth-grade students.
Data Driven Tier 2 Systems:
Coordinate building Tier 2 team b utilizing data to implement appropriate interventions.