Safety & Security

Our goal is to develop health literacy in all students. Health literacy is the capacity of an individual to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services and the competence to use such information and services in ways that are health-enhancing. Health-literate individuals understand scientifically-based principles of health promotion and disease prevention, incorporate that knowledge into personal health-related attitudes and behaviors, and make good health a personal priority. Health Education in the Pocono Mountain School District is comprehensive, accurate, up-to-date and relevant. The Health Education program equips students with the skills necessary to weigh options, make responsible decisions and develop behaviors that promote healthful living. Students are encouraged to assess their attitudes and behavior patterns and to understand the impact their life choices have on their communities and on their own well-being.

The mission of the Pocono Mountain School District School Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program addressing the academic, career and personal/social development of all students, in order to prepare them for tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities. School counselors are professional school advocates who support the process of maximizing student potential through cultivating a program which supports all students’ personal/social, academic, and career achievement. School counselors’ partner with educators, administrators, parents or guardians, as well as surrounding community members to promote lifelong learning and to encourage all students to become productive members of society.

The Pocono Mountain School District recognizes that bullying of students has a negative effect on the educational environment of school. The district's policy is reviewed annually and submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Safe Schools for review as required.

All staff are provided with trauma-informed training which assists staff in responding to the signs and symptoms of trauma. A framework and roadmap for adopting a trauma-sensitive approach has been developed as well as a variety of resources for staff about trauma and trauma-sensitive practices.

All staff participate in Safe Schools training, which are online safety training courses specifically designed for school districts. The courses are 100% school-focused and each one is authorized by a leading school safety specialist.

All students are educated on digital citizenship in order to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively use the internet and digital technologies.

The purpose of this period is to increase tier one supports, provide exposure to academic skills, social and soft skills, and wellness strategies. In addition, strategies to cope with stress, conflicts, and motivation will be provided. Students are connected to adults in the building that serve as a pseudo-mentor role.

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches young people and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially on social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or to others and to “say something” before it is too late. Safe2Say Something allows students to report bullying, cyberbullying and other concerning behaviors anonymously. Tips are provided directly to school administrators for investigation and response. All students in Grades 7 to 12 are trained annually on Safe2Say Something in PMSD. Students in all grades may use the Safe2Say Something tip line to report school safety concerns. 

PMSD students in Grades 6, 8, and 10 participate in the online survey (unless they opt-out via the passive parent consent form provided by PAYS). Students provide responses to questions posed in the following categories: substance use, mental health concerns and suicide risk, school climate and safety, bullying and cyberbullying, abuse and food scarcity, COVID-19 Impacts, remote learning perceptions and experiences. To ensure valid survey results, the data gathered and analyzed is subjected to the same validity/honest checks used in PAYS profile reports.

Check & Connect is an intervention used with K to12 students who show warning signs of disengagement with school and who are at risk of dropping out.  Check & Connect is structured to maximize personal contact and opportunities to build trusting relationships. Student levels of engagement (as reflected in their attendance, grades, and behavior) are “checked” regularly by mentors and used to guide their efforts to increase and maintain students’ “connection” with school. 

An emerging practice used by schools to gather quick student feedback, get to know the students, and deliver in-the-moment supports.  Typically done via surveys, SEL check-ins not only elevate student voice, they can also help students gain awareness of their emotions and work on core CASEL competencies like self-awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision-making.

Aevidum empowers students to use their unique voices and talents to make a difference as well as recognize the gifts of their peers. Together, they create authentic cultures of care and advocacy within their schools.

Pocono Mountain School District has 5 behavioral specialists to assist students. Referrals to Behavioral Health staff are made through the Student Assistant Program available in all district schools. The Behavior Specialist helps coordinate the Functional Assessments of Behavior and Behavior Intervention Plan that address students' inappropriate behaviors and provide a means to help the students become more academically successful. Provides direct interventions to students, including individual and group counseling.

Develop relationships with agencies, albeit mental health services, food programs, or government resources and know the paperwork process to fully assist families. Meet with families to not only assess and assist but also to build the relationship between home and school.

The YESS Program is a partnership between Pocono Mountain School District and the St. Luke’s Health System. Through this partnership, St. Luke’s provides Outpatient Therapy within the district. Referrals to the YESS Program are made through the Student Assistance Program, which is available in all district schools.This program provides integrated mental health treatment for children and adolescents in elementary and high school. The YESS program will team with educators, parents, and other individuals to help ensure that each child’s emotional and behavioral educational experience is as rewarding as possible.

Colonial IU 20 provides two consultants for the district, one for East schools and one for West schools for this program. The goal of the School Attendance Improvement Program is to improve school attendance and thereby reduce the number of days students are absent from school. Secondary goals are to reduce the number of truancy-related referrals to county offices and to reduce the amount of time school districts expend on truancy-related issues. Using a blend of prevention and intervention, the School Attendance Improvement Program provides case management, collaboration with the school district, and coordination of services with both community providers and the District Judges.

Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports is an evidence-based three-tiered framework designed to enhance students’ understanding of behavior expectations at school. Schools work within the framework according to their specific needs. Staff members and students are taught strategies aligned to the expected behaviors to ensure consistency across different settings (in classrooms, the lunchroom, and restrooms, for example). As part of the PBIS program, teachers and students develop an understanding of the appropriate disciplinary responses to inappropriate behaviors. The goals of consistent PBIS implementation include a decrease in problem behaviors, a decrease in office disciplinary referrals and suspensions, increased student engagement and attendance, and increased student perception of school safety.