What is the Student Assistance Model (S.A.M.) Team?
The Student Assistance Model (S.A.M.) at Lewis S. Mills High School in Burlington, CT is a program designed and implemented to identify students that are having difficulties with academics, emotional and/or social problems. Following the identification process is the assistance and on-going support that SAM is able to give to these students. The student assistance approach is to promote early identification of students having a difficult time in school and to provide strategies that will help the student to succeed.
Since its inception in 1991, the SAM program has been very effective in providing support for referred students. The SAM Team services approximately 55 or more students per year. Also, the Lewis Mills SAM Team has been a role-model for other schools. Connecticut high schools have visited the Lewis Mills SAM Team seeking assistance in setting up their team.
What are specific reasons for referral to the S.A.M. team?
1. Excessive discipline problems
2. Academic failure
3. Suspected chemical/alcohol abuse:
4. Irregular school attendance/truancy
5. Consistent behavioral concerns or drastic behavior change
6. Ongoing, unresolved health problems
7. Negative police involvement
8. Stressful home life/changes in family
Who Can Make a Referral?
Parents
Teachers
Students
School faculty, staff, administration
Who are S.A.M. Team Members?
Michelle McCard, School Psychologist
Mandie Maher, School Psychologist
Kathleen Wasseluk, Nurse
Angie Villadolid, Guidance Counselor
J. Patrick Howley, Guidance Counselor
Alfred McGunnigle, Guidance Counselor
Tiffany Davis, Guidance Counselor
Kelly Loveday-Currier, Classroom Teacher
Phyllis Jones, District Wellness Coordinator
Pamela Lazaroski, Assistant Principal
Dave Keepin, Dean of Students
What are Possible Interventions?
Adolescent Development Groups
Faculty-Student Mentoring
Counseling
Individualized Support Plans
Care and Concern Meetings with parents and teachers
How can I make a referral?
Fill out a S.A.M. referral from, which can be downloaded from this website or
obtained in the guidance office at Lewis Mills High School.
Submit the referral form to one of the S.A.M. Team members listed above.
The referred student will then be assigned to a case manager, who will gather information and interview the referred student. The data is then shared with the S.A.M. team and an assistance plan is developed.
