Student Assistance Programs
Overview
Student Assistance Programs includes the following strategies:
- Build and strengthen life skills
- Connect students to caring adults and activities; provide opportunities to interact with prosocial and non-violent peers
- Intervene to lessen harm and prevent future risks
- Promote positive learning environments
RISD provides the following Student Assistance Programs:
PALs (Peer Assistance and Leadership)
PALs (Peer Assistance and Leadership) courses are offered at each of the RISD high schools. Students enrolled in PALs 1 learn a variety of life skills that assist them in supporting their peers as well as mentoring elementary school students in their learning community.
Students enrolled in PALs 2 receive training in conflict management, conflict resolution, and violence prevention. These students provide the opportunity for their peers to resolve conflict through mediation as well as support PALs in Training (PIT Crew) at the middle/junior high and elementary campuses in their learning community.
PALs in Training (PIT Crew)
PALs in Training (PIT Crew) provides an opportunity for Middle School and Junior High students to develop leadership skills as well as learn conflict management and resolution skills as a way to support a positive school climate.
TOPS - Teens Offering Peer Support
TOPS – Teens Offering Peer Support is an afterschool support group open to any secondary student who desires to maintain a positive healthy lifestyle, is open to learning effective ways to support peers, model positive life choices, and manage conflict in positive ways.
Restorative Practices
Restorative Practices are a teaching and learning approach in schools that focuses on building and maintaining positive relationships, and repairing harm when conflict occurs. Restorative practices can help improve school culture, reduce behavior incidents, and improve attendance.